No Longer Banished

No Longer Banished
For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him. —2 Samuel 14: 14
The woman speaking to David has come to beg the king to reconcile with his son, Absalom, whom he had banished. And through this word picture, she reminds David of the finality of death. We all must die. When we do, we are as water that has been spilled on the ground and can’t be gathered up again. She warns the king that if the bitterness continues, and either he or his son should die, they will never be able to rectify their relationship.
Death ends all opportunities for reconciliation. Families often divide over very small issues. And oftentimes, we deal more harshly with those we love than those we don’t even know. Isn’t it interesting how we feel that some people are more forgivable than others? But God will forgive even the worst of crimes. God offers His forgiveness and His pardon freely.
**The gate of forgiveness is open to all who will call upon Him.
God has indeed devised a means by which His banished be not expelled from Him. That’s what the gospel is all about—restoration. Through His Son, who took our guilt and shame upon Himself, God restored those who had been banished as the result of sin.
Lord, I pray for those who have been alienated from Your love and fellowship through their actions and sins. May they turn and receive mercy, pardon, grace, and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.