In our Bible study this week, we looked at how the advice of two men (Ahithophel and Hushai) proved decisive in the battle between Absalom (son of David) and David. Ahithophel was well regarded by both the king and his rebellious son (2 Sam 16:23), and his advice to Absalom – to take David’s ten concubines and sleep with them as a clear demonstration of his intention to rule and to let an army attack David while he did this – was both shrewd and probably would have been the key to success if followed. Hushai, sent back to Jerusalem as a spy, managed to offer alternative advice which gave David more chance of regrouping and which undermined Ahithophel. God was clearly at work in this situation, frustrating Ahithophel’s advice and paving the way to David’s success.

This episode reminds us that God is in control, even when we don’t understand what is going on around us. Prov 21:30 reminds us that ‘there is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord’; Rom 8:28 tells us that God works for good in every situation. Naturally speaking, Absalom could have overcome David and become the next king of Israel, but this was not God’s will. Even though David had sinned, God was merciful to Him and fulfilled His word to him. The tide was about to turn.

Sadly, Ahithophel did not know God as well as David did, for he failed to repent and turn back to Him for mercy. Instead, he kills himself, being firmly assured that Absalom will now fail and that he has no chance of restoration. He reminds us of Judas, who betrayed Jesus and was filled only with remorse and not repentance, whereas Peter, who denied Jesus, was able to repent and be restored. God is the God of second chances. It’s not wise to work against Him; no one can thwart His plans! (Job 42:2)

Tonight in our Bible discussion we looked at how Christian denominations came about and what distinguishes one denomination from another as well as the core Christian beliefs which unite all Christians, regardless of denominations. There was also discussion about translations of the Bible, about how God reveals HImself (through the world and through the word) and about different sects which deviate from orthodox truth. It was a varied discussion, much enjoyed by those who took part!

We live in a largely secular society in the West which places little value on human life (as abortion and euthanasia testify). Often, we feel like a mere number, especially as automation and AI can do our jobs more quickly and efficiently than we can, and many treat people as though they are the scourge of all ills rather than as valuable individuals. This can lead us to feeling worthless and without value and adds to our mental health problems, for we all need to feel worth and significance to function well.

The way God sees people is radically different. We are made in His image (Gen 1:27) and are loved unconditionally by Him. (John 3:16) We belong to Him (1 Cor 6:19-20) and are called His treasured possession, His special possession. (Ex 19:3-6, 1 Pet 2:9) This gives us dignity and worth, no matter what others may think. We are chosen by Him; we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Our identity in God is far greater than we often assume.

Treasure is precious, and God says we are ‘a royal diadem in the hand of your God.’ (Is 62:3) At art auctions, we often see mind-boggling prices paid for paintings (Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime and relied on the generosity of others to survive; in 1990, his Portrait of Dr Paul Gachet sold for $83 million. Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi is the most expensive painting in the world, selling for $450.3 million in 2017. It’s not just paintings, either! Robbie Williams recently paid £20,000 for a pair of Eric Morecambe’s glasses, saying ‘the sunshine you asked for, you gave to me.’) The value of something lies in the price someone is willing to pay, and the price God paid for us is the life of His only Son. That gives us an identity as a treasured possession beyond our wildest dreams; we are loved and wanted by God.

Many of us long for an end to our troubles. We long for a stress-free life and feel we would be better Christians if only our circumstances were different. If only we had a better job, different neighbours, a nicer family, more money, a bigger house, then we would give God our full attention and devotion, we reason. Life is just too difficult!

David could have said exactly the same thing. Plucked out of obscurity as a shepherd boy by Samuel, he was anointed king of Israel. He saw great victories (the slaying of Goliath, for example), but the net result of this was Saul’s jealousy and a fugitive life on the run. He spent years in the wilderness dealing with one battle after another, and even when he became king, things were not easy. Some of the problems were his own fault; many were not.

Yet in the midst of trouble, David experienced the love of God: ‘Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.’ (Ps 31:21)

We don’t have to wait for answers or find solutions to our dilemmas before we experience God’s love. God’s love, help, comfort and rescue are all found in a city under siege. When we feel alarmed and as though God is far away (‘I am cut off from Your sight!’ Ps 31:22), it is then that God hears and answers us and reveals Himself to us.

We can know God in the wilderness. We can find God in the place where we are besieged. He can provide rescue and refuge, a safe place of shelter, a fortress, even when we see no respite to our troubles. We don’t have to wait for better times.

Jesus quoted this psalm as he hung on the cross (‘Into Your hands I commit my spirit.’ Ps 31:5, Luke 23:46) If he could find consolation and hope in the agony of crucifixion, we can find consolation and hope as we wait for the Lord: ‘Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.’ (Ps 31:24)