Sometimes things happen that you cannot change, such as the death of a loved one, and you feel utterly hopeless. King David was overwhelmed with sorrow when he received the news of his rebellious son Absalom’s death. We read about this in 2 Samuel 18:32-19:4

“Is the young man Absalom safe?” the king asked.

The slave answered, “I wish that what has happened to him would happen to all your enemies, sir, and to all who rebel against you.”

The king was overcome with grief. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he cried, “O my son! My son Absalom! Absalom, my son! If only I had died in your place, my son! Absalom, my son!”

Joab was told that King David was weeping and mourning for Absalom. And so the joy of victory was turned into sadness for all David’s troops that day, because they heard that the king was mourning for his son. They went back into the city quietly, like soldiers who are ashamed because they are running away from battle. The king covered his face and cried loudly, “O my son! My son Absalom! Absalom, my son!”

In Isaiah 38:1-6 we read about a king who experienced the pain of suffering. We also read that God answered his prayer and prolonged his life.

About this time King Hezekiah fell ill and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and said to him, “The Lord tells you that you are to put everything in order because you will not recover. Get ready to die.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed: “Remember, Lord, that I have served you faithfully and loyally, and that I have always tried to do what you wanted me to.” And he began to cry bitterly. Then the Lord commanded Isaiah to go back to Hezekiah and say to him, “I, the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will let you live fifteen years longer. I will rescue you and this city of Jerusalem from the emperor of Assyria, and I will continue to protect the city.”

Our Christian man sometimes feels bitter because of the things that happen to him. Perhaps you also feel like this sometimes.

When David and his men arrived, they found that the town had been burnt down and that their wives, sons, and daughters had been carried away. David and his men started crying and did not stop until they were completely exhausted. Even David’s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, had been taken away. David was now in great trouble, because his men were all very bitter about losing their children, and they were threatening to stone him; but the Lord his God gave him courage. 1 Samuel 30:3-6

Notice what David did when everyone around him was bitter. He found strength in the Lord his God. This is the answer to every man who is in a relationship with God - including you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that through your Son, Jesus Christ, I can turn to you. Thank you that there is no moment in my life when I cannot turn to you for help. Amen