It was not unusual for people in the Bible to live in exile. For example, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt and Judah was exiled in Babylon. If you want to be technical, Adam and Eve were forced to leave The Garden of Eden and Abraham was exiled and told to go from his home country. Some have said that the global lockdown was similar to an exile in that we were forced to do certain things. Certainly, some of our older folk shielding have felt they have been exiled. You are not alone.

David is to be exiled from his own city. This was the place in which all his hopes were centred. He has the promise from God of peace and that his own son would build the temple, but now the greatest promise he had ever received is under threat and he is he about to lose his kingship.

And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 2 Samuel 15:13

Things look bad for David, Absalom is a proven killer, a liar and a manipulator. David has to make a very hard decision.

Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 2 Samuel 15:14

I think it has been extremely hard for everyone with the decisions that have had to be made with regard to church life. Some have struggled, others risen to the challenge and for some their lives haven’t changed very much at all. We have a deep heritage of church life. We are used to things, there is a familiarity but now everything we have known is gone. What I will say is this, and it’s from the heart of David, it’s not over, get yourselves ready and be prepared for action. Pray about new days and what God will do ahead of us, it may be different in the future but it’s not over. Look for the encouragements and look ahead with faith.

David was confident things were not over even though it was bleak.

He finds that he has servants loyal to him (vs 15 ). He leaves 10 concubines in the palace, he believes he will be back (vs 16). He reviews his people on the edge of the city (vs 17) because he believes in them.

Let me say this church, we will be back. Let’s appreciate each other, our giftings, characters and personalities with great faith because each one of us will have a distinct and unique role as we return to retake our Jerusalems.

In verses 18-21 David offers Ittai an opportunity to go back safely to ‘King Absalom’ but Ittai is loyal to David and David is very grateful (vs 22). There were others that were very loyal to him too as you can see from the fact that folk wept to see David leaving Jerusalem (vs 23).

It’s only right that we should weep over what we have lost over these past months, but also right that we pull together in unity in building something glorious, therefore be loyal to each other.

The senior priests Zadoc and Abiathar support David. They have carried the Ark of God to David but he sends them back. The presence of God is so important to David and that’s our priority as we get back to our Jerusalem, the presence of God. Not my role or your role but the presence of God.

It was a crushing time for David, he seemed to be losing everything. His kingship, his ministry, his anointing, his reputation as a soldier but look at his response.

But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 2 Samuel 15:30

And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4

I know many of you have wept for what you have lost, birthdays, holidays, meeting family and friends. Some of you have wept because you have not coped well with the anxiety caused by lockdown.

Can I make a bold plea, to pray for the Church. In fact to weep for the Church of Christ that we come out the other side of this more effective, more vibrant and glorious that we ever were before. That we might be a genuine city on a hill, a light to the world, the joy of the whole earth. Remember when praying for the Church that you long for, it is not ‘out there’ but is you and your friends.

Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,

but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.  Nehemiah 1:8-11

Do this for us Lord! For Gateway Wrexham Lord!