A Monument of Stones

David and all his company—warriors and statesmen, old men and youth, the women and the little children—in the darkness of night crossed the deep and swift-flowing river…. Hushai’s counsel had achieved its object, gaining for David opportunity for escape; but the rash and impetuous prince could not be long restrained, and he soon set out in pursuit of his father….

The place of battle was a wood near the Jordan, in which the great numbers of Absalom’s army were only a disadvantage to him. Among the thickets and marshes of the forest these undisciplined troops became confused and unmanageable…. Absalom, seeing that the day was lost, had turned to flee, when his head was caught between the branches of a widespreading tree, and his mule going out from under him, he was left helplessly suspended, a prey to his enemies. In this condition he was found by a soldier, who, for fear of displeasing the king, spared Absalom, but reported to Joab what he had seen. Joab was restrained by no scruples. He had befriended Absalom, having twice secured his reconciliation with David, and the trust had been shamelessly betrayed. But for the advantages gained by Absalom through Joab’s intercession, this rebellion, with all its horrors, could never have occurred. Now it was in Joab’s power at one blow to destroy the instigator of all this evil. “And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom….”

Thus perished the instigators of rebellion in Israel. Ahithophel had died by his own hand. The princely Absalom, whose glorious beauty had been the pride of Israel, had been cut down in the vigor of his youth, his dead body thrust into a pit, and covered with a heap of stones, in token of everlasting reproach. During his lifetime Absalom had reared for himself a costly monument in the king’s dale, but the only memorial which marked his grave was that heap of stones in the wilderness.
Conflict and Courage p. 184
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Michelle (age 27) who has a rare form of terminal cancer. She lost a pregnancy and went through a divorce during treatment. The doctor has stopped treatment and is setting up hospice. Victoria
—–Please pray for a very much needed breakthrough at my work. Ron
—–My brother needs prayer. He was taken back to the hospital for severe bleeding stemming from when he was robbed and shot. Ruby
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

There are times when all seems lost, when the trials and troubles, the heartaches and heartbreaks overwhelm us to the very depths of our being. We feel as if our whole world is crashing in upon us. We feel overwhelmed. We feel forsaken by God and man. We are confused and wonder why things happened the way they did. The evil one whispers in our ear words of doubt and despair. We are tempted to wonder, “Does Jesus Care?” Today’s song, written by Frank Graeff, answers that question.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song, As the burdens press, And the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long? O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief, When the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades Into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near? O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief, When the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong, When for my deep grief There is no relief, Tho’ my tears flow all the night long? O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief, When the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” To the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches Till it nearly breaks, Is it aught to Him? does He see? O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief, When the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.

Let us cast all of our cares upon the One Who loves us more than all of the glories of Heaven, more than the worship of all of the universe unfallen, more than His own life, for He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” to redeem us from the power of the evil one, to give us the power to overcome, to make us ready to live in His glorious kingdom. Phil 2:8 What a Wonderful Saviour! He will make all things right. He will supply our need. His love is beyond comprehension! “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psa 107:8

Rose