What scriptural principles can guide us when seeking help, as Absalom did? Setting the Scene: Absalom’s Request 2 Samuel 14:29 records Absalom twice summoning Joab so he could appeal to King David: “Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come.” Absalom wanted help, yet his later actions (vv. 30-31) reveal impatience and manipulation. From this account—and the whole counsel of Scripture—several principles surface for our own times of need. Principle 1: Approach the Right Person • God often uses human agents, yet He still directs the process. • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise.” Choose helpers marked by godliness, wisdom, and proven loyalty. • Absalom turned to Joab because Joab had the king’s ear; we, too, should identify those God has positioned to give legitimate assistance rather than venting to anyone who will listen. Principle 2: Ask Persistently—But Not Manipulatively • Jesus commends steadfast asking: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). • Luke 18:1 praises “pray at all times and not lose heart.” • Absalom’s persistence was commendable; setting Joab’s field ablaze was not (14:30). Godly persistence never crosses into coercion, intimidation, or sin. Principle 3: Check Your Motives • James 4:3 warns, “And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” • Absalom’s hidden agenda was self-exaltation and eventual rebellion (15:1-6). We must be sure the help we seek is for God-honoring purposes, not personal pride or retaliation. Principle 4: Respect God-Given Authority and Timing • Absalom wanted immediate access to David, bypassing God’s discipline after his earlier sin (13:28-38). • Scripture urges submission to lawful authority: Romans 13:1—“There is no authority except that which God has established.” • Waiting on the Lord’s timing protects us from rash shortcuts. Psalm 27:14: “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous, and wait patiently for the LORD.” Principle 5: Seek Counsel Bathed in Prayer • Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” • Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” • Bring potential helpers before the Lord first, asking Him to open or close doors. Prayer aligns hearts, clarifies motives, and often reveals whether we should press on or pause. Principle 6: Trust God Above Human Helpers • Psalm 118:8: “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” • Isaiah 31:1 warns against relying on earthly strength without seeking the LORD. • Even the best counselor or benefactor is a secondary means; God remains the ultimate source of provision, guidance, and vindication. Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.” Bringing It Home: Living These Principles Today • Identify counselors marked by scriptural wisdom, integrity, and spiritual maturity. • Ask clearly, humbly, and—if necessary—persistently, yet refuse manipulation or sinful pressure tactics. • Evaluate motives in light of James 4:3; repent where selfish ambition lurks. • Submit requests and timing to God’s sovereign hand; His delays often protect and refine us. • Bathe every step in prayer, confident that the Lord can open hearts, align circumstances, or supply help in ways we never imagined. Following these principles keeps our requests God-centered, protects relationships, and honors the One who ultimately meets every need. |
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