2 Samuel 15:13-16, 25-26, 30, 16:5-13 (ESV)

15:13 And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” 16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house. … 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” … 30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. … 16:5 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8 The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” 9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust.

Intro: What consequences do you live with from a selfish choice?

BEHAVIOR & CONSEQUENCES
Even with God’s grace to redeem, how can we still suffer consequences from foolish decisions?

HONEST IN HUMILIATION
What is significant about David’s ownership of his sins?

RICH IN OUR POVERTY
Why could David trust that God would work for his good?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD who is glorious no matter what our circumstances are. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for His unchanging glory and worth – for all eternity, in all circumstances, to all His people.

2 - How have you lived shifting blame or in denial of your guilt? Confess your pride and unbelief to Jesus, asking Him to cleanse your guilt and heal your heart in the midst of your trials and suffering.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for the miracle of His plan — that the King of all existence came to bear our curse so that we could enjoy His blessings! Thank Him for His mercy and wisdom to bring life out of violence and death.

4 - Who do you know that suffers from their own foolish choices? Pray for them, asking the Lord to open their eyes to His love in Christ and to His power to transform their bitterness into glory.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you His fruit of love, joy and patience. Pray for greater faith in God’s love and power to work even through your failures and disastrous choices that you could have Him as your glory.