Title: The Fruit of a Bitter Heart/Topic: Unforgiveness

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:10-12
10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.' " 11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. 12 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom's following kept on increasing.

Observation: Absolom had a bitter heart toward his father. He was bitter about the way his father had handled the rape of his sister and also about how his dad had treated him after he murdered his half-brother Amnon. Instead of seeing any of his own fault (he had murdered someone but had justified his actions to himself), he focused on the fault of his father. If he had forgiven his father, their relationship could have been restored, for David had welcomed his son into his presence again. But Absolom seethed inwardly and plotted against his father for the throne, even deciding to hunt his father down to murder him so he could claim the kingdom for himself.

Application: Get rid of a bitter heart! It rips families apart and is ultimately destructive to the person harboring the bitterness. A person caught up in bitterness cannot see their own faults well at all. They become the victim and blame others around them for their problems. Bitterness prevents them from receiving good counsel and comfort from those around them. Absolom was loved by his father but could receive none of it. He was emotionally distanced by his own bitterness.

Prayer: I forgive, Lord. I choose to forgive all those who have hurt me, whether they realize what they have done to wound me or not. I refuse to live my life bound up by hurt, anger, bitterness or any other negative emotion. I will rejoice in your love for me and in your goodness. Help others to forgive as well so that they may be emotionally free to embrace happiness and joy.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.