ODJ: Hand of God

March 29, 2016 

READ: 2 Samuel 15:13-31 

Let [God] do what seems best to him (v.26).

Lorenzo Quinn’s 900-pound aluminum sculpture called “Hand of God” features a gigantic open hand with a man seated on the highest part of an upturned palm. The man appears to be troubled and his posture reflects deep discouragement. But the hand that holds him up is much larger than he is.

Of certain situations, we’ll say, “It’s in God’s hands,” meaning that He’ll determine the outcome. David recognized this when his son Absalom tried to take over as the king of Israel. Absalom “stole the hearts of all the people of Israel” and stirred up rebellion against his father in Hebron (2 Samuel 15:6-12).

When David learned that all of Israel had joined Absalom, he left Jerusalem. Zadok and the priests followed him, carrying the ark of the covenant (v.24). Headed into the wilderness, David told Zadok to take the ark back to the city. He said, “If the Lord sees fit . . . He will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him” (vv.25-26).

I find it interesting that David, a famous warrior, didn’t try to fight Absalom for the throne. And although he was deeply sad, he didn’t express despair. David saw himself as being fully in God’s hands. He knew that he would determine Israel’s king—not him, and not Absalom.

During another difficult time in David’s life, someone reminded him, “Your life is safe in the care of the LORD your God, secure in his treasure pouch!” (1 Samuel 25:29). As believers in Jesus, we can rest in the same God who kept David safe. We can relax and trust Him. He knows what He’s doing, and as Jesus said, “No one can snatch [believers] from the Father’s hand” (John 10:29).

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: 1 Samuel 18:1-30