We can use technology to make a positive impact on our life. Just a click away are scriptures, sermons, Christian blogs, and uplifting music. To help win battles in life, we need to hear more of the uplifting, the amazing, and courageous so we are inspired in the present and ready to step ahead into an incredible future. This day, let us step ahead using God’s plan for us.  

In 2 Samuel 18, we discover that love is the key to delivering victory. Gentleness is love’s forgetfulness, goodness is love’s character, and self-control is love’s restraint on revenge. Even though his son Absalom had done David wrong and was trying to take over as king, David wanted to spare his life.

David organized his troops to go up against his son’s army. David wanted to be on the front lines of the battle but his men told him not to march with them into battle because the enemy would go after him since he was worth more to the enemy than all the other men put together(v. 3).

David listened to his men and would give support from behind the city gates. On the other hand, Absalom’s self-pride caused him to fight on the front lines. Nothing is done very well if self-pride is the only motivator. David was willing to take advice and consider what’s best for the whole group. It takes the pressure off if we get help from the others on our side.

The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim (v. 6). David’s men routed Absalom’s men as twenty thousand of Absaloms’ men were killed. Running away on his horse, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree and the horse kept going. He was hanging in a tree when one of David’s men saw him (v. 10). He didn’t lay a hand on Absalom because he remembered that David said to spare his life.

Reading on, Joab kills Absalom even against David’s orders. Remember how Joab had reunited Absalom with David after Absalom had been banished for killing his brother. There was some animosity because Absalom had set Joab’s field on fire. Maybe as payback for what he had done to David but maybe also for Absalom’s lack of appreciation to Joab for his help.

This day with You Lord, we appreciate the help of others. We set out today considering what is best for all involved in the decisions we make. There are enemies we face but with You, these enemies will be defeated. We accept the assistance we get from others but most of all, the help received in the Holy Spirit gained because of Jesus. We have faith that there is victory in our future because of Jesus’s blood shed on the cross and it is in His name we pray today. Amen.