A THIEF OF HEARTS
“Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel… The conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing. A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom” (2Sam 15:12, 6, 13)
Absalom was an angry, bitter and over ambitious man. Once in Jerusalem, he decided on a plan to take over his father’s throne. Early in the mornings he will go to the gate of the city and offer free advice to the people who come seeking justice. It is not that there were no courts to judge these cases. But before the courts opened, he will be there, available for counsel. He was the heir to the throne but he presented himself as the new high judge of the city. He gave false hopes to all who sought justice. He greeted them with kisses. He sounded as a true spiritual ‘vigilante’. He promises justice to all. It is easy to promise impossible things when you are in opposition. That is how worldly politicians gain the votes of the people. But when they win the office, they forget all the sweet words and the people who so easily got deceived by them.

Absalom ‘provides himself’ with a chariot, horses and fifty men running ahead. Rebellious men carefully groom their public image. It reflects their heart. He wanted to be king, so he will dress and behave like one. His father David was too simple for his liking. His grandfather on his mother’s side was a pagan king. Surely, he dressed better than David. He also probably admired Joseph and wanted to be like him. He read that Pharaoh gave him a chariot and bodyguards. Men like Absalom love to be seen as successful. They like the visibility that comes with positions of authority. The dream of many pastors is to appear on the TV. For them, that is the climax of ‘anointing in ministry’. They dress fashionably, marry women who behave like them and preach sermons that all people love. They insist that others respect them. Like Haman, they do not tolerate opposition and are cruel with anyone who ignores them.

Surprisingly, the people of Israel loved Absalom. They did not see the deception behind the glamour. They always wanted a man who looks like a king, handsome, confident and tough. That is why God gave them Saul in the first place. Absalom is the son of David but he has the spirit of Saul. God gave them a king according to their heart’s desire. So Absalom led a conspiracy and by a spirit of rebellion and witchcraft, stole their hearts. The word ‘stole’ means to deceive, to carry away secretly. Conspiracy is an unlawful allegiance or treason, when men join themselves together to do evil. The witch came with smiles and sweet promises of a better future. During one of the romantic kisses, he put his hand in their chest and stole the hearts; one by one. During the time of King Saul, men had no weapons. During the reign of this new king, men lost even their hearts and became slaves to evil.

King David was the true anointed king of Israel. He is the lawful approved authority of God. But the men of Israel desire a handsome but selfish king, proud and rebellious, just like them. He stole their hearts, the center of their minds, emotions and wills. He stole their vision and spiritual understanding. After the damage done by the spirit of rebellion and witchcraft, what was left behind was only the dead shell of broken dreams and failed destinies.

Finally, here are some questions: is your heart still in your body? (I am not talking about your natural heart, but about your spiritual one). Is your spiritual vision clear? Is your spiritual understating functioning well? Is your conscience sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Or do you make mistake upon mistake, led astray by the design of covens and false political prophets? Take your spiritual pulse…are you still alive? Examine yourself if you are still in the faith! For nothing else matters today; nothing is more important than this!

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am born again, saved by grace thru faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Blood!
I reject all rebellion and witchcraft spirits!
I destroy every occult spell upon my life!
I take my heart back from the hands of the devourer!
I totally surrender to Jesus Christ my Lord!
In Jesus name
Amen!