"I Have to Have It"

2Samuel 13:15

15Then Ammon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Ammon said to her, "Arise, be gone!"

All day yesterday God kept bringing to my remembrance the story of Tamar and Ammon. God did not bring the situation to my remembrance for the purpose of rape though it is a clear demonstration. The word says there is nothing new under the sun. And no situation known to man is new.

Tamar was a princess and the beautiful daughter of King David. She was the full sister of Absalom and the half sister of Ammon. Now Ammon knew Tamar to be a vigin but the word says he loved her and was distressed over her. So Ammon approached his buddy Jonadab. Jonadab told him by what scheme he could grab hold to Tamar's body and he used it. Just before overtaking Tamar, she attempted to reason with him saying if he wanted her that bad perhaps the command that kept him from legally being with her could be eased because King David was the ruler. The NKJ Study Bible mentions that King David provided the example of taking what belongs to someone else when he was with Bathsheba. But the word says Ammon would not heed Tamar's reasoning and overtook her.  But once he satisfied the way in which his body wanted her, his love turned to hate.

Ammon had no desire to show restraint though he knew he would disgrace Tamar. The NKJ Study Bible says that Ammon was intent on satisfying his lust regardless of the consequences. And that his attraction clearly turned to disgust. This is what Lust looks like. Once the craving is satisfied one no longer wants what they once desired. Lust is real and is often confused with love. Yes, the situation of rape is real too. But rape doesn't need to be the situation for lust to operate. Lust is not a respecter of sex. Lust can appear both in man and woman. And not all men and women are innocent as Tamar just to be clear. Ammon had the "I have to have it" scenario but once he got it, he realized he no longer wanted it. The fact that he did not approach the situation with Tamar in honesty but rather a scheme gives the foundation of what his intentions were.

A dear friend of mine shared something the other day that he wishes to teach young women under his care, "just because a man wants to sleep with you doesn't mean he loves you." And that is what Ammon demonstrated. He was never in love with her. He only desired to sleep with her.

Seeking God for the Task

2Chronicles 34:3

3In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.

King Josiah was only eight years old when he became king. Can you imagine being eight years old and ruling a kingdom? Most eight year old children are still learning to manage themselves. The word says he reigned for 31 years. So he reigned until he was 39 years old. His immediate predecessor, his father Amon, only ruled for 2 years. Josiah was not like his immediate father but in his bloodline was the great King David. So early in his life, like David, he sought God. The word says he did not turn aside to the right or the left meaning he continued on the path that God directed him. By seeking God, Josiah cleaned up the kingdom from the not so wise ruling of some of his predecessors. What is so amazing about King Josiah? He knew that what was before was too great of a task to do all his own and sought the one who could guide him like his forefather David. It was God that led Josiah to greatness and a long reign.

What has God entrusted to you? No matter what your age, where has He given you dominion? Are you like Josiah and seeking God for your great task? What will be said about your reign? Will it be that you stayed on the path? Will you help God put things back in order according to His plan?

It's Official

1Chronicles11:3
3When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

Man had finally recognized publicly what God had done with David long before. Though David had fought many battles and led armies of men, he was only recognized as "one day" becoming king. That day had finally come. For David, the burial of Saul and his family line was the final confirmation that it was time for him to walk in his appointed role. It was bittersweet because he loved them all in spite of the death threats. The elders of Israel had no choice at that point but to recognize who the Lord called David to be and anoint him in agreement. This action made it official. What has God promised you? Has there been a "changing of the guard" in some area of your life? Is there a confirmation that God has provided to you as to what you are walking into? Are there people in your life like David, that now recognize what God has already said about you?

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