«Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you» (Ephesians 4:31, 32).
“TIME BOMB.» That is what H. M. S. Richards, Jr. called bitterness. A bomb that could explode at any time, as happened with Ahithophel, King David’s adviser, when Absalom rebelled against his father.
Why did Ahithophel decide to join the rebel Absalom, thus betraying David’s trust? Ahithophel was the father of Eliam, who in turn was the father of Bathsheba, with whom David had committed adultery (see 2 Samuel 23:34; 11:2, 3). In other words, Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather. It is not difficult, therefore, to conclude that Ahithophel had harbored resentment toward David for some time, and that those feelings reached full maturity when Absalom rebelled against his father. In fact, this is what we read in the book Patriarchs and Prophets: «The defection of Ahithophel, the ablest and most wily of political leaders, was prompted by revenge for the family disgrace involved in the wrong to Bathsheba, who was his granddaughter.»—ch. 72, p. 735.
This desire for revenge was especially evident when Ahithophel counseled Absalom to commit incest with David’s concubines: «Go in to your fathers concubines,» Ahithophel said, «whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong» (2 Samuel 16:21).
The worst thing was that Absalom followed his counsel to the letter, for «the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom» (v. 23),
How could Ahithophel fall so low? He was talented and respected for his great wisdom, but he apparently had never forgiven David; and the bitterness accumulated over the years also ended up finishing him, for when Absalom; rebellion failed, Ahithophel committed suicide (2 Samuel 17:23).
Lessons? One lesson is that a lot of wisdom is of no use to us if God is not our best Adviser. The other is that bitterness, harbored for a long time in the heart, can become a time bomb. However, there is good news! The good news is that right now, as today; verse says, we can defuse that bomb with the power of God. How?
By «forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.»
Heavenly Father, please cleanse my heart of all bitterness and resentment through the precious blood of Christ. And help me forgive completely, just as You have forgiven me.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
