2 Samuel 15:30-37 – There is no co-incidence in prayer

With his entourage, David, now a fugitive was making his way up the ascent of Mount Olive in great sorrow. With his head covered and walking barefooted they were weeping all the way. The problem with bad news is that they don’t in trickles. When one is down, problems seem to pour like a torrent. As if what was distressing David was not enough for him, someone had to tell him that Ahithophel had joined Absalom in the revolution. From David’s immediate response we can tell that this evil counselor was a great concern to him. So he urgent shot up a quick prayer requesting God to thwart Ahithophel’s evil counsel.  Though in great sorrow, David remained connected with God and made God his first option. This is something worth emulating. No matter how trying our lives may be, don’t lose touch with our Lord. We can and bring our burdens to Him. Yes, we have a great friend in Jesus, and we can bring our burden to Him in prayer.   

David meeting Hushai the Arcite was not a coincidence. He was God’s immediate response to his prayer. Hushai was another sympathizer and counselor of the king.  With his coat torn and dust on his head, he met David near the summit of Olivet, all ready to join the king in his tough journey.  But David wisely sent him back to Absalom. For he felt that he would be of better service to him near his renegade son. He could frustrate the evil counsel of Ahithophel, and he could also be his intelligence in the palace. David told Hushai to convey whatever had transpired in the palace to Zadok and Abiathar. The information would then be communicated to the king through Ahimaaz and Jonathan, the sons of Zadok and Abiathar respectively.

The power of prayer is one key lesson we can glean from these verses. David’s immediate response to an adverse situation was prayer. He knew God could be trusted and be counted upon to deal with his foreboding. And God responded immediately through the provision of Hushai. For us Christian, there is no coincidence. God works all things out for good to them that love Him and are called according to HIs purpose. This we can be deeply assured. We can’t help but remember what God had promised in James 5:16 saying, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” God wants to collaborate with us and we can do so through prayer.  One other lesson for us is found in how David deployed Hushai. The gifted counselor was more fitted for a role that he was made for. So David sent him to where he was most gifted and needed. We can be at our best in the role that we are gifted and where we are most needed. Be sure to discover your gifting and be where God wants you to be.