A Father's Failure

“O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33)  Here is an exceeding bitter cry. It is one of the saddest passages in the entire Bible. One would think that such was the cry of a mother who had lost the dearest thing on earth to her, a child. But no, it is the bitter cry of a man weeping for his son who had been killed. Absalom, the son of David had been slain while leading his forces against his father, the King of Israel. David had instructed Joab and his men to deal gently with his son (2 Samuel 18:5). But they slew the young man anyway (2 Samuel 18:14, 15). In the rearing of his son Absalom David was indeed a failure.

But wherein had David failed? We must be fair and note that in other ventures in life, David was not a failure. In fact in many things he was very successful. We observe that David rose rapidly in rank. We saw him first as a shepherd boy. He possessed a brilliant mind and fortitude. As a courageous lad he went out to meet and defeat the great giant Goliath in battle. David was a many sided man. He was not only a shepherd but a poet, a singer and later to become the King of Israel. A man like this will usually make good in any situation. While as king much wealth was accumulated in the treasury. The enemies had been defeated. The time was called the ‘Golden Age of Israel.’ David provided the proper foundation upon which his son Solomon eventually erected the temple. But in what did this successful man fail? 

He failed as a father. David paid a great price for his success. When David looked over his life he saw it too. It cost him many hours of sorrow. Our text in 2 Samuel 18:31-33 reveals only one time of his weeping. His son was killed while rebelling against him. Many fathers are like David today. They too will pay the price. Some men are successful at building fortunes but completely unsuccessful at building men.

One might ask, why did David take this failure so hard? Because of his tender love for his son he had lost. Fathers are not supposed to do much weeping it is often thought by misinformed individuals. We should understand however that often fathers are just as devoted to their children as mothers. David also takes his failure hard because his loss is without remedy. We may blunder in some things and correct them next time but there is no next time in the rearing of children. David could have said, “I would make Absalom a different boy if I could only have my time over with him.” No wonder he cried. David took failure hard because he knew he lost his son hopelessly. Absalom was gone for good. He could not be brought back again. Death always produces this feeling when we loose loved ones. David lost his son needlessly. If he had been the right kind of a father, perhaps he could have saved his son. Many a father carries this accusation in his bosom.

The story is told about a father who took his little child into the field one afternoon and it being a hot day he laid down in the shade of a beautiful tree. The little child ran about gathering wild flowers and little bits of grass and coming to his father and would cry, “Look how pretty!” At last the father fell asleep and while he was sleeping the child wandered away. When the father awoke his first thought was, “Where is my child?” He looked around but he could not see him. He shouted at the top of his voice but all he heard was an echo. Running to a little hill he looked around and shouted again. There was no response. Then going to a steep cliff at some distance he looked down and there, far below on the rocks and briars he saw the mangled form of his precious child. He rushed to the spot and took up the lifeless corpse and hugged it to his bosom and accused himself of being the murderer of his child. While he was sleeping and neglecting for a just a short time his child had wandered over the precipice.

Such depicts so many fathers and mothers today. While their children are wandering closer and closer to the edge of the cliff and to certain destruction, parents are asleep regarding the moral and spiritual welfare of their off-springs. Often parents contribute to the downfall of their children because of their own way of life. Some fathers drink, gamble and are unfaithful to their marriage vows; and then they wonder what went wrong in the rearing of their children. King David was crushed beneath the burden of thought that he had lost his son Absalom for all eternity. It should be noted that providing the daily necessities for one’s family is not enough. More important is the rearing of children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Money may provide for the body but not for the soul. Money may buy groceries but not character.

Another question to ponder is why was David a failure as a father? When John was born, the question was raised, “What then shall this child be” (Luke 1:66)? It is required of parents to train children in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). David undoubtedly shifted his responsibilities to someone else. He had many obligations, cares, troubles and political problems but he should not have neglected his son. Perhaps Absalom never thought about going to David with his broken toy and he never thought about going to him with his broken heart. David gave him everything but himself. Many fathers are like that today. David in his sins concerning Bathsheba could have influenced his son, adversely so. David repented and returned from the far country of sin but Absalom never came back from that land of sorrow.

Fathers, you should consider your responsibilities toward your children before it is eternally too late. Lead your loved ones in the way of the Savior Jesus Christ. Make every effort to save your family from sin and an everlasting separation from the God of heaven. You cannot afford to lose your sons and daughters.

‘LONG TERM CARE’

It was over the Christmas holidays that our oldest son approached me about what arrangements his mother and I had made in case one of us needed ‘long term care’ due to a stroke or some other sickness that possibly could cripple us. Now that question caused some serious thinking on my part. It is something that you really don’t like to consider since we are still in relatively good health. But our age is showing. After all, my wife and I will be seventy-eight years old our next birthday anniversary. I think sometimes I am a twenty-five year old man locked in this seventy-seven year old body. I don’t feel this old but I am. Aging parents can really be a major problem for caring children. And ‘long term care’ is so expensive. People have lost their homes, property and savings when in need of ‘long time care’. I knew of this Christian couple who was in the same nursing home and a relative of theirs stated the cost was $12,000 per month!!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Oh, I know that Medicare will pay some but you still have to give up practically all your earthly possessions in the process of covering the expenses for ‘long term care’.

There are ‘long term care’ policies that can be purchased from various insurance companies for a price and if you can afford it, that can be a wise choice.  While my wife and I do not have one of those policies, we do have another ‘long term care’ policy that we have had for most of our lives. While in our youth we confessed our faith in Jesus Christ as being the son of God and were baptized. The cost for our salvation and ‘lone time care’ was paid by our Savior who shed His blood on Calvary. We could not afford the cost ourselves so He paid it for us. And we know for a fact that the Owner of this policy has cared for us over the years, including fifty-seven years of marriage. Oh, the road has not been an easy one to travel but it was during the times of trials, burdens and difficulties that His policy really ‘kicked in’.  I am speaking of the care of our Heavenly Father that has seen us through the valleys of this life. The apostle Peter wrote in I Peter 5:6, 7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”(Emphasis, mine, R.E.) The providential care of God is greatly emphasized by Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew chapter 6, verses 25-34. He provides for “the birds of the air” and He clothes “the lilies of the field”.  He then asked his disciples “Are you not of more value than they?” Regarding the material blessings of life the Lord said if we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous” He promised that “all these things shall be added to you.” God has also given His children this promise as found in Hebrews 13:5, 6: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What can man do to me?” I have often quoted Psalm 37:25 to express my trust in the providential care of our Heaven Father: “I have been young and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor His descendants begging bread.”  In 1904, Walter S. Martin wrote the lyrics to this beautiful song that mentions the promise that “God Will Take Care of You.” “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. Thro’ days of toil when heart doth fail God will take of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you. No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, Thro’ every day, O’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.”

But the care of God does not end when this life is over for His children. His ‘long term care’ policy is extended into eternity. Our bodies are daily growing older. The days of our lives are numbered “For the living know that they will die” (Psalm 90:10; Ecclesiastes 9:5). The fear of death does not overwhelm the faithful followers of Jesus Christ, knowing that they will be in the care of their Heavenly Father (Psalm 23:4). In fact, the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:23 that to die and be with the Lord “is far better”.  John was instructed to write in Revelation 14:13 the following: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” Isaiah, a prophet of God penned these words of encouragement: “Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die” (Emphasis mine, R.E., Isaiah 57:1, 2; NIV). Eternity cannot be comprehended by our finite minds but we have the promise that God will take care of us. The sentiments expressed in the following song fills the believer’s heart with full assurance of that great truth. “Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o’er shaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest. Hark! Tis the voice of angels, Borne in a song to me, Over the fields of glory, Over the jasper sea. Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, Safe from the world’s temptations, Sin cannot harm me there. Free from the blight of sorrow, Free from my doubts and fears; Only a few more trials, Only a few more tears. Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge, Jesus has died for me, Firm on the Rock of Ages, Ever my trust shall be. Here let me wait with patience, Wait til the night is o’er; Wait till I see the morning Break on the golden shore: Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o’er shaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest”. – William H. Doane, 1870

SOME SYMPTOMS OF A SECULAR SOCIETY

First of all, it is best that we define three of the words in the heading of this article. The word ‘symptoms’ as used in the medical field can be described as indicators of an underlying health problem. For example, if someone is experiencing chronic fatigue, this may indicate a serious heart problem. In spiritual matters, a member of the church who is habitually absent from the worship assemblies may indicate that there is a lack of love for the Lord which is a real ‘heart problem’.  The word ‘society’ is defined as: “A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations”. The following definition is one of the best that I could find regarding the word ‘secular’ (adjective) but in this case I will use the word ‘secularization’ (noun) to aid in our understanding of the word ‘secular’:

“Secularization refers to the historical process in which

religion loses social and cultural significance. As a

result of secularization the role of religion in modern

societies becomes restricted. In secularized societies

faith lacks cultural authority, religious organizations

have little social power, and public life proceeds without

reference to the supernatural. Secularization captures

a long-term societal change, but it has consequences

for religion itself. In Western countries,

where it has been most pronounced, it has made the

connection to their Christian heritage more tenuous.

Yet secularization is important beyond the formerly

Christian West, given that many of the forces that first

sustained it there affect other societies as well.”

    - Frank J. Lechner

It is generally understood that a structure is no stronger than its foundation. This is true of civil governments and nations. When the foundation has been weakened, society is most likely to crumple, decay and implode. In Psalm 11:3 we read, “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” The foundation of any civilization is the family unit. Someone has rightly said, “As the home goes, so goes the nation.” In our country, the traditional understanding of marriage and the home is under attack by Satan and our secular society. Biblically speaking, marriage is the joining together of a man and a woman as husband and wife (See Genesis 2:20-25; Matthew 19:4-6 & Ephesians 5:22-33). This is God’s design for marriage and the home and believers in His Holy Word are bound by the will of the Heavenly Father in this important matter.

But decisions are being made by governmental officials and judges as well as citizens in various states in our nation to the contrary of what we refer to as a ‘traditional marriage’. Note the following:  “On Tuesday, November 6, 2012, voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approved the legalization of same-sex marriage in their states.  In addition, voters in Minnesota rejected a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as an opposite-sex union.  Same-sex marriage is already legal in Massachusetts (2004), Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), Vermont (2009), New Hampshire (2010) and Washington, D.C. (2010).  In addition, California continues to recognize same-sex marriages that were performed between June 16 and November 4, 2008, the period in which same-sex marriage was legal in California.”  The ‘Gay Movement’ is becoming more and more influential in our society. Even some mainline denominations are ordaining ‘gays’ to be bishops and preachers. Some ‘Pastors’ are performing marriages of same-sex couples. The movies and television programs are presenting same-sex marriage as an alternate and acceptable lifestyle. Not a few school systems are using text books to influence our children that ‘two fathers’ or ‘two mothers’ are normal and that parents should not object to such teaching in the classrooms. Biblical passages found in Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Jude 7 clearly condemn such life styles.

We also have learned that married couples are now in the minority. There are more young adults ‘living together’ rather than choosing to go through a marriage ceremony. Again, the movies and television programs are projecting this arrangement as being acceptable in our modern society. The Holy Spirit had the apostle Paul to write in Galatians 5:19-21 that “fornication” (“illicit sexual intercourse) is one sin mentioned among others as being classified as “works of the flesh” and “that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” “Other signs of cultural decay are accepted with little notice. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of babies born in America are born to unmarried women.”

In this ‘secular society’, “there have been 53 million abortions performed in the United States since Roe v. Wade was decided back in 1973. While the number of abortions is down, on the average, there have been approximately 1.21 million abortions in America each year.” One may call that which is growing in a pregnant woman’s womb a fetus or whatever; but, the fact is, it is a living being, an unborn child. God’s attitude concerning abortion is found in Proverbs 6:16, 17: “These are six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood…” (Emphasis, mine, RE).

Our teens are being taught in many of our schools (even in lower grades) on how to have ‘safe sex’ while the objections of parents are being rejected. Some liberal-minded professionals, including educators and doctors, believe that teenage girls should have the right to purchase “emergency contraceptive pills, generally sold in the U.S. as Plan B-Step or Next Choice.” “These pills contain a synthetic hormone similar to birth control pills, prevent ovulation – and, therefore pregnancy – about 85 percent of the time when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.” John, the apostle of love, was instructed by the Lord to write these word, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Emphasis, mine, R.E., Revelation 21:8).

Cal Thomas, a well known columnist writes, “There is no longer any cultural corrective because we have abandoned the concept of objective truth. Nothing is right or wrong, because that suggests a standard by which right and wrong might be defined. Personal choice is the new "standard," which is no standard at all. One might as well develop individual weights and measures. This is the age of pluralism, inclusivism and tolerance wherein individuals have the right to believe whatever they choose, morally, doctrinally, etc. But this is not anything new. In Judges 21:25, we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

A growing number of people, especially young people, no longer believe in God or religion. “An October poll from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life drew attention to the rise of the religiously unaffiliated—now 1 out of 5 adults and 1 out of 3 adults under 30.” Atheists, the ACLU and other liberal groups are continuing to make impact on our nation’s scene with their objections to anything pertaining to ‘Christianity’. My friends, America is not a ‘Christian nation’. Believers in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible are in for a real battle against the forces of evil that are prevalent in our nation.

There are other ‘symptoms’ we could discuss that are indicators of the deplorable condition in our country but we shall mention only these presently. In closing, please read carefully the following from the Word of God: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).  “The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). The passage in 2 Chronicles 7:14 had reference to God’s chosen people at that time which was the nation of Israel; however, the directives, principles and promises can be applied to the present condition in our country today. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

WORKS CITED

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas, Cal, Newspaper Article, Gay Marriages, etc

The National Law Review, Employment and HR: United States: Results of State Voter Referendums On Same-Sex Marriage: Implications for Employee Benefit Plans, McDermott Will & Emery

Christianity Today, December, 2012

Article by Joseph S. Adams, Jacob Mattinson, Todd A. Solomon and Brian J. Tiemann

Merica, Dan, CNN

Yudell, Michael, Article, Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Bible, New King James Version

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A Gated Church

No doubt, we all have of heard of a ‘gated residential community’. But a ‘gated church’? Well, the church is not really ‘gated’ but the property is sometimes ‘gated’ to keep unwanted people off of the premise who might break into the building or to enter the grounds for immoral purposes. I have heard of some churches having fences around their parking lot in order to keep would be thieves from breaking into the automobiles while the members were worshiping. For the first time to my knowledge there is a church of Christ in the city where I live that has installed a gate to keep cars and trucks from entering their property except during their worship assemblies. The famous city of Jerusalem, the center of the Jewish worship, was indeed a literal ‘gated’ city as mentioned in the Bible.

In the New Testament we find several references to ‘gates’ being mentioned. The first one I desire to observe is the “narrow gate” that is found in the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 7:13, 14. In most instances, you will have to be invited into a ‘gated community’ before receiving permission to enter the premise if you do not live there. The “narrow gate” that Jesus mentioned is open to all who will accept His invitation that he extended as found in Matthew 11:28: 30: “Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NKJV). But a person cannot accidentally enter the “narrow gate”; rather every effort will be required as is plainly taught in Luke 13:24: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Those who enter the “narrow gate” and walk the “straitened” way will eventually enjoy eternal life with God. In contrast, there is the “broad gate”. There is much sadness in the Lord’s statement, “many are they that enter in thereby” (ASV). Those who enter the “broad way” simply fail to make proper preparation or they rebel against the Lord and His word. This is the easy way to travel but the end leads to “destruction”.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus made this precious promise before He died on the cross: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” One understanding of the latter part of this verse is that though Jesus would die on Calvary’s cross and His soul would go to Hades (the unseen world of departed spirits), He would not remain there (See Acts 2:27). No power could prevent Him from coming forth from the grave and fulfilling His promise to establish His church. This He did on the first Pentecost Day following His resurrection when He sent the Holy Spirit upon His twelve apostles (Acts 2). It was then that the gospel of Christ was preached and some 3,000 penitent believers responded and were immersed and the Lord added them to the church (Acts 2:36-38, 41, 47). The church of Jesus Christ has an ‘open door’ policy. No one is to be excluded or prevented from entering the church which is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23). The church is where both Jew and Gentile can be reconciled to God and be “fellow heirs, of the same body” (Ephesians 2:11-18; 3:3-6).

There is a ‘gate’ found in Hebrews 13:12 that is of great importance, especially to all who have had their sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5): “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” In his commentary on the book of Hebrews, Martel Pace makes this observation regarding verses 12 and 13: “The idea of the animals being incinerated outside the camp on the Day of Atonement is introduced. The bull offered for sin was carried outside the camp (see Lev. 16:27). The idea of Jesus’ being crucified OUTSIDE THE GATE (v.12, Emphasis, mine, RE); see Jn.19:20) fulfilled that symbol. By accepting the stigma of guilt (a probable meaning of “outside the gate”), Jesus could bear our sins. Leaving the camp (v.13) suggest a total break from the synagogue and the temple.”

In contrast to the church, heaven is a ‘gated community’! Jesus has gone to prepare a place for all who prepare to go there when this life on earth is finished (John 14:1-3). Jesus Himself is “the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). It is only when we give our lives to God that we will be permitted to enter into “the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10, 11). In Revelation chapters 21 and 22, the gates in heaven are mentioned six times. They are described as follows: “Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west” (21:12, 13) “The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl” (21:21). “Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there)” (21:25). Now, please note who will be able to enter the eternal city of God: “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (21:27). “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (22:14). This is the final invitation our Lord will extend to the redeemed: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). Individuals who will not be permitted to enter the gates of heaven are described as follows: “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murders, and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (22:15). “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (21:8).

Gates can be used to keep someone in or out. Often gates function in both directions for people to enter and/or leave. In heaven, the gates open only one way and that is to permit saved people to enter for eternity. "Dad," said Charles H. Gabriel, Jr., from the embrace of his father, "if I never see you again here, I'll meet you where the gates never swing outward." His father, the beloved song writer, had gone to New York to bid his son God-speed as he departed for France during the First World War. It was while clasped in that last good-bye, his eyes turned toward the gates through which he must pass to go on shipboard. Those gates of entrance to war and death swung both ways; it gave him apt figure of speech to phrase his parting from his father. "I'll meet you where the gates never swing outward!" The words sketched a picture in the mind of his father, who, while the train journeyed westward toward his Chicago home, held in his heart his son's heart-warming good-bye of love and...affection. From his meditation came this tender song: "Where the gates swing outward never!" (From Forty Gospel Hymn Stories by George W. Sanville, 1943, p. 80.

Where the Gates Swing Outward Never

“Just a few more days

to be filled with praise,

And to tell the Old, old story:

Then, when twilight falls,

and my Savior calls,

I shall go to Him in glory.”

Just a few more years

with their toil and tears,

And the journey

Will be ended;

Then I’ll be with Him,

where the tide of time

With eternity is blended.

What a joy t’will be

when I wake to see

Him for whom my

Heart is burning!

Nevermore to sigh,

never more to die –

For that day

my heart is yearning.

Chorus

I’ll exchange my cross for a starry crown,

Where the gates swing outward never;

At His feet I’ll lay every burden down,

And with Jesus reign for ever.”

~ Charles H. Gabriel