365 Reflections

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 get the headlines in sermons and Christian coffee cups. I understand. The passage is about our future and we are often so worried about it that we need a lot of reinforcement to embrace it. After all, you cannot stop the future from arriving. Some translations say, "he will direct your paths." And I love that too... and we all should do exactly as this verse suggests. But it should be mentioned repeatedly that "all scripture is God-breathed and profitable" to equip us (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). To that end, look at the verses PRECEDING those incredible words from Proverbs 3:5-6: Proverbs 3:1–4 (ESV)  My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faith...

2 Samuel 15:14–16 (ESV) Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” 16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house. David runs from Absalom's banana republic kingdom. This has to be one of the silliest exiles in the Bible. For what the narrative unpacks for us is how intimidation at the Absalom's taunt is completely unjustified. David's kingdom is strong behind him and deeply loves him. Yet fear has taken hold of his life and he impulsively flees thinking the end has come. The text lists the number of people who flee with David from the foreign lands where David had been so su...