Dead Right

"Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice."

2 Sam.16:23

Ahithophel had a stellar career. Through his intelligence, insight and undoubted political prowess, he became King David's principle advisor, and his advice came to be regarded by the king as infallible. When Absalom, King David's son, decided to usurp the kingdom from good ole' dad, Ahithophel decided to go along with the revolt. Upon hearing the news, David cried to God to turn Ahithophel's advice into nonsense and planted his friend, Hushai, in Absalom's ranks to counteract Ahithophel's wise counsel. With God's help, the plot worked and Absalom heeded Hushai's advice instead of listening to Ahithophel. When Ahithophel realized that his insight was no longer the only esteemed counsel, and that he had made a grave political misstep; when he understood that all his years of being right had suddenly turned wrong, he went home and committed suicide.

  Sometimes we are on a high in life. Everything is rolling smoothly, we are moving forward and upward, our dreams and visions are becoming realities and we feel blessed and powerful. Then suddenly something happens; we make a mistake, a loyal friend turns on us, we feel disregarded and displaced by another or we fail to hit our goal and doubts and insecurities start to settle into our hearts. This is how Ahithophel felt as he trudged home from his meeting with Absalom. He had been flying high for so long that he no longer knew how to land himself onto the safe ground of humility and acceptance of human failings. Had he repented, had he humbled his heart before God and others, we may have been able to continue reading about Ahithophel's glorious comeback, but it was not to be. He was right, he had always been right and he would always be right- dead right!

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The Saddest Last Words

Bob never saw it coming. He was walking home from the corner grocery store when the thug appeared before him, quick as lightening, and menacingly demanded he hand over his wallet and whatever was in the plastic bag. Bob hesitated just long enough to make the thief nervous. The assailant’s first blow was strong enough to knock him over, but the attacker was not satisfied with that, he continued to beat Bob until he went unconscious. When Bob woke up, he was lying in a pool of blood, his wallet missing along with the sack containing his recent purchase of bread and milk. He attempted to lift himself up from the cement, but everything just kept spinning. His eyes focused on the face of a woman who extended her hand to help him up, it was useless; he was too weak. “I’m a gonna call you an ambulance,” the woman said as she reached for her phone. Suddenly Bob’s body jolted up and he managed to stabilize himself on his elbow. “Oh no!” he cried, “Do not call an ambulance!” “What?” the lady asked incredulously, “You definitely need one!” “No!” Bob insisted as he sank back down, “I do not want to go to the hospital!” “But why not?” asked the lady. “Because”, Bob started to weakly explain, “If I go to the hospital, they are probably going to hurt me, and then they are going to send me a big fat bill that I can’t pay.” “You see, none of this was my fault!” “I was just going to the store for a few groceries, and some guy attacked me.” “Find him and make him go to the hospital because it is all his fault!!” “But sir,” the woman calmly tried to reason with him, “Your attacker is not the one that is dying, you are!” “It’s not my fault… it’s not my fault… it’s not my fault…” these were Bob’s final words as he lie on the cold concrete and let his life slip away.

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