Devotions

In spite of the fact that David could rejoice in a righteous and flourishing kingdom that would come through his seed, his own house was not so with God. This man after God’s own heart was plagued with family troubles all his life. His wife Michal despised him, and Amnon, Tamar, Absalom, and Adonijah, among his children, caused him much grief.

Trouble at home is a common affliction among God’s people, and it is some of the hardest affliction they are called upon to endure. Many a godly parent and many a spouse would have to write an although into any record of their home life. They would gladly testify that God has richly blessed them, although there’s a son or a daughter who has gone the path of the prodigal or a spouse who has been unfaithful. There is no heartache like that which comes from family troubles.

It is comforting to know that all of our althoughs in life are appointed by our wise and loving heavenly Father. While it is true that David had family troubles because of his own sin, yet in His absolute sovereignty God was ruling and overruling even the sinful actions of David and his family. Whether our family troubles are the direct result of sin, they are of the Lord’s making in the sense that He permits them, He fixes their boundaries, and He overrules them for His own sovereign purpose. As Job put it, “He performeth the thing that is appointed for me” (Job 23:14).

It may be that some heartbroken parent or husband or wife is reading these words just now. God sees those tears running down your cheeks. Although your home is not what you want it to be, God knows what He’s doing. Trust Him with these althoughs.