Surviving an Attack

Nov. 11, 2001                                                                                           Northwest Bible Church

 

2 Samuel 15:1-14

Surviving an Attack

 

INTRO

We know that the Christian life is a war.  We are often attacked by the devil, the world, and our own sin.  The attack can come from inside or outside.

 

 

1. ABSALOM’S ATTACK

 

1. Troubles are _______________ by God (12:11).

 

1. The kingdom under attack.

 

1) Absalom stirred up strife (2 Samuel 15:1-5).

 

1. a) Absalom was an (2 Samuel 15:1).   Satan likes to use someone who is on the inside to wage his attack. Cf. Judas, Korah.

 

Acts 20:29-30  I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing            the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to            draw away the disciples after them.

Mt. 7:15   Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are    ravenous wolves.

Jude 4, 12  Certain persons have crept in unnoticed, .  .  . turn the grace of God into licentiousnes           and deny Christ;     hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear.

Gal. 2:4  Because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our     liberty in Christ Jesus in order to bring us into bondage.

 

The ultimate insider is David’s own son.   I’m sure David experienced the agony of the fact that this attack was coming from his own son.  To every parent that has experienced a wayward child, I say to you:

 

(1) You are not alone.   Many of the most godly of saints have experienced the same.   Adam and Eve (Cain), Abraham (Ishmael), Isaac (Esau), Aaron (Nadab and Abihu), Eli (Hophni and Phineas), David had (Amnon, Absalom, and later Adonijah).

 

(2) We must acknowledge God’s sovereign purpose.

 

(3) There is hope til the day of their death.

 

1. b) Absalom had (2 Samuel 15:1).

 

1. c) Absalom used (2 Samuel 15:2-5).

 

1) Absalom never met a plaintiff he didn’t like (2 Samuel 15:3).

 

2) Absalom never saw a man get a fair hearing from the king (2 Samuel 15:3).

 

3) Absalom wanted to exalt himself to the throne (2 Samuel 15:4).

 

1. d) Absalom used (2 Samuel 15:5).

 

2)  Preliminary goal - thievery (2 Samuel 15:6).

 

3) Ultimate goal - the throne (2 Samuel 15:7-14).

 

 

1. DAVID’S RESPONSE

 

1. ___________. Sometimes it is best to walk away from a fight.  Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

 

 

1. _______________. Our tendency is to cast all the blame on others and see ourselves totally in the right.

 

1. a) Send the ark back! (2 Samuel 15:24-26). No assumption of innocence.  David did not cling to external forms of worship and deceive himself by having the ark when God may not be with him.

 

 

1. b) Weeping, head covered and barefoot (2 Samuel 15:30). He is publically acknowledged his sorrow and I think that David remembered the prophecy of God.

 

 

1. c) “Let him curse” (2 Samuel 16:5-14). I deserve this curse.  I am at fault.

 

Human nature has built in tendency to see others faults and be blind to our own.

 

Psalms 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

 

 

1. ______________. David cries out to God (2 Samuel 15:31) concerning Ahithophel.

 

 

III.  THE REVIVAL OF GRACE IN THE HEART.

The workings of God’s providence are so wonderful.  David’s grace has apparently gone dormant up to this time.  God revived his grace through this trouble.

 

 

 

CONCLUSION