You Can Always Come Back (Mark 16:7)

 Did you ever have a friend that you were close to, but then something happened between that marred the relationship to where it was never able to be restored?  If it did not happen to you, you probably know somebody who experienced it.  In situations like that, the division may be mutual with neither person attempting to reconcile the relationship.  There probably have been situations where both people wanted to reconcile, but thought that the other would have nothing to do with them and therefore never made any attempts for restoration.  Cases like this are similar to the Apostle Peter and Jesus.

At a most critical time, Peter denied Jesus and went against his proclamation of never denying him and even being willing to die for him.  The shattering in the relationship occurred at the sounding of the cock crowing.  From that moment on, Peter lived with the guilt and shame of his decision and subsequently walked away and returned to fishing.  The self verdict from his guilt was that The Lord would no longer want him, but he was wrong.  Jesus knew the struggle that Peter experienced.  So when he sent message that he was going to Galilee, he told Mary to tell the disciples and Peter that they could see him there.  Had he merely told her to tell the disciples, Peter would have excluded himself from the group because he felt unworthy.

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. (Mark 16:7)

The love of God is so great that regardless of how far we have walked away from him and how long we have been away, he wants us to return.  There is nothing that we have done that can deter or diminish his love for us.  He will always want us back into a relationship with him.  If there are any hinderances to us returning, these hinderances are either created by our own belief system or we have bought into the lies of the enemy that daily war against our hearts and minds.

If you are away from God, he wants you to return to him.  Nothing needs to be accomplished in order to be accepted back.  Whatever baggage you bring, he will sort out the mess that has been created.  He will lead you back into the path that leads by the still waters and bring restoration to your soul that you have been longing to experience.  Right now, he is waiting for you to come back.

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RAPE (2 Samuel 13)

The desire in his heart moved him to target her.  With innocence and love she cared for her brother as his plan to satisfy himself unfolded.  He forced himself upon her and then cast her aside as refuse.  What were the results of this act and specifically, how did they affect Tamar?

When Amnon forced himself upon his sister, he did more than just take her virginity.  His wounds went much deeper because he first deceived her with love.  He conveyed love by desiring that he needed her to care for him.  His deception of being sick played upon her empathy and falsely convey his need for her.  This deception of love may have created wounds just as deep as the rape itself.

Amnon traumatized Tamar by his act of physical aggression.  Her cries of reasoning fell deafly upon his ears.  His heart was not concerned for love, but only lust.  Although the physical struggle may have only lasted for moments, she would continually struggle with it by reliving that moment for years to come.  Amnon also victimized Tamar with shame.  Tamar would experience shame as the community looked her, but more so would she face shame as she looked upon herself.  The one she may possibly be able to escape, but the other would be ever present.  Before rape, Tamar proudly wore the garments that the King's virgin daughters wore.  After rape, she wore shame and disgrace.  Her character, reputation and testimony were stolen from her.

Possibly the greatest of wounds occurred when she became hated by Amnon.  The term for hatred conveys the idea that the subject of hate is counted as an enemy.  In Amnon's eyes, Tamar became the enemy.  He saw it as her fault.  Her beauty, delicateness and femininity caused it all.  He probably saw himself as the victim of her beauty and was unable to control himself.

As an outcast, Tamar remained stunned and devastated as those around her did nothing.  Then after two years, Amnon was killed by Tamar's brother.  Amnon paid the price for the wrong that he did to his sister, but his payment did not removed any of the wounds created by his selfish sinful act.  Tamar wound carry those wounds with her for the rest of her life.

You or someone you love may be the victim of sexual abuse.  There is hope in the midst of this devastation.  God recorded this passage to reveal to them that he understands the depth of their hurt and wants to bring the deliverance that is so desperately needed.  It will not be an easy road of recovery, but he will provide the strength, people and resources that is needed to overcome.

If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.

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