August 30, 2021 | 2 Samuel 17

Read 2 Samuel 17

Scripture- 2 Samuel 17:23- When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Observation- Ahithophel’s advice was held in the highest regard. In fact, his advice was considered to be next to God’s advice. It appears that this role was what Ahithophel wrapped his identity in. As soon as someone didn’t listen to his advice, he had an identity crisis. If no one would listen to him, then he had no worth in his mind. It led him to despair and eventual suicide. 

Application- God has given me many talents and abilities, but none of them define who I am. My identity isn’t found in my talents nor in my roles. If I cease being a pastor, my worth isn’t gone. If one of my senses gets taken away from me, I don’t need to despair. My identity is a holy and perfect child of God bought with the blood of Jesus. Nothing and no one can take that away from me. People may stop listening to me, one day I may stop preaching, but I never have to despair. I know who I am. I am God’s child through Jesus. That gives me tremendous worth and purpose today. 

Prayer- Father, thank you for adopting me into your family through Jesus. I’m tempted to build my worth and identity on so many things, but the only thing that matters is what you’ve made me. Let me build on that identity today. Then come what may, I won’t despair but stand firm in my identity as your blood-bought child. Amen.