Topic: Treat your wound promptly
Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 16-18; Luke 17:1-19
Memory Verse: “And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.” 2 Samuel 13:22 (KJV)
When you have a physical wound and do not treat it on time, it may get infected and become septic. This may lead to dire consequences such as amputation of the affected area or even death! The same applies to wound of the heart. When someone is wounded and it is not treated on time, it will lead to bitterness of heart and if it remains unaddressed, the bitterness would further fuel the desire for revenge which could lead to death. This was the situation with Amnon who raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar. While the king was wrath, there is no biblical record that he punished Amnon publicly for the evil he committed and Absalom was bitter because he kept his sister Tamar desolate in his house! (2 Samuel 13:20). The Bible records in 2 Samuel 13:22 (KJV), “And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.” If king David had publicly sanctioned Amnon and done something to ease the pain of Tamar, Absalom’s hatred of his brother, Amnon may not have gotten to the level of killing him. Jonadab who gave the wicked advice to Amnon knew that Absalom planned the death of his brother Amnon. He said in 2 Samuel 13:32 (KJV), “And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.”
Even the eventual attempt by Absalom to overthrow his father’s government and his eventual death could still be traced to this root of bitterness in him that was not uprooted.
This is why it is essential that you should not allow offence to linger on but try and address it immediately. The word of God addresses this when it says you should forgive all those who offend you as often as they occur! In Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV), “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” This way there will not be any iota of the offence in you! Furthermore, the Lord said you should do good to your enemies and leave vengeance to him! Romans 12:19 (KJV) says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Action point: Examine yourself if there is any wound in you or you have grieved people and prayerfully address them.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero