Not as Sinners, but as Their Children

I read the story of David and his son Absalom in the Bible. In his desire to claim the throne, Absalom sought to overthrow his father, King David. Yet even as David fled the palace to escape the rebellion, he did not hate his son; instead, he worried that Absalom might be harmed.

“The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, ‘Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.’ . . . The king asked, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’ . . . Then the Cushite arrived and said, ‘My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you. . . .’ The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”2Sa 18:1–33

David regarded the rebel Absalom as small and weak, referring to him as a young man, and even commanded his soldiers to treat him gently. When he heard the news that Absalom had died, he was overwhelmed with grief and cried out, “My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you.”

This story reminded me of our Heavenly Father and Mother, who came to this earth to seek us sinners. Even as They bore our sins and walked the path of suffering and sacrifice for us, They still called us Their children. I am sincerely grateful for the boundless love of our Heavenly Father and Mother.