Stolen Hearts

2 Samuel 15:6b "So Absalom stole the Hearts of Israel"

Have you ever stopped to examine how fickle you are? By this I mean have you ever stopped to think through WHO you allow to shape your thoughts and ideas? Have you stopped to think through WHY you allow them to speak in to your souls? In reflection of my life, many times I allowed people to speak into my life without much thought. I assumed a whole lot about some people because they were in positions of authority and leadership. It is amazing when you compare what I have heard, even from preachers, that is just dead wrong when you pick up the bible and read the actual accounts. Some of you, maybe most of you will think "Chad you are making much of nothing". I don't think that is the case.

In 2 Samuel 15 we see King David's son, Absalom, quietly and deceptively stealing the hearts of the people. He did not do it with a brash rebellion, but rather a quiet daily dose of half truths that seemed good in the eyes of the people. His plot was a subtle rebellion against his father King David. King David, though a sinner, was a man of great faith and ruled the people with grace and mercy. Absalom was a murderer, and one bent on using his positions of power for his own gain. Eventually Absalom's venomous statements about his own father stole the hearts of the people. It is amazing how these people forgot that the only reason they had peace was God working through King David. It is astonishing how they forgot the fact that David was chosen by the Lord, and anointed by Samuel, a prophet of the Lord. But Absalom was a charismatic and beautiful man (2 sam 14:25) who no doubt was using every bit of his charm to sway the people of course. And let's not overlook what he was using as bait to lure the people, more access to and affections from the New King, himself. He was offering what they wanted, not what they needed, and had in God's anointed, King David. They forgot the facts, ignored the truth and allowed a sinister, shady fellow bent on manipulating them for his own gain, to steal their hearts away from God's will that David would be their king.

Isn't this the history of mankind though? Clearly it is.

So how do we stay on course? Psalms 1:1-2 says it best " Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers: 2 But His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night". Put bluntly, if you want to walk in life with God seek him, and delight in God greatly, meditate on His word, and seek wise and righteous counsel.

Let us bring this in a little bit. Like the people that were led astray by Absalom's charm and beauty of speech, there are many being led away from the truth of Christ alone and His word as a light to your soul. Perhaps one of the healthiest questions you can ask is this: "Are the people that are pastoring and leading me in an obvious, passionate love with Christ and growing me by His word?" Are they giving you what you want or are they giving you what you need in Jesus Christ?

Do not let your heart is get stolen away in a quiet, casual rebellion against God. Think it through. It is important.