Truth and Freedom by Andrea Marino

bTruth and Freedom by Andrea Marino

In the words of the ultimate Teacher, “Everything is absolute futility.” Ecclesiastes 1:2. I believe underneath all of man’s searching is a hunger to know the meaning of life and his purpose in living. The book of Ecclesiastes depicts the journey to making this discovery. Apart from God, life will always come up short, our existence amounting to meaningless - a “chasing after the wind.”

God is the vine; we are the branches. John 15:5. Our survival depends on God, our very breath coming from Him. Not until seeing the fallacy of thinking we can make it on our own do we come to know anything of value. And while there are successful people who appear to have all the answers, after all is said and done, it is God’s words that will stand forever, prove to be true, and satisfy the basic hunger within a soul.

2 Samuel chapters 13-19 tells of a sequence of catastrophic events for King David’s son, Absalom, who strays from the ways of God. Enraged over the rape of his sister by his brother, which his father does not avenge, instead chooses to forgive, Absalom arranges for the death of this brother. Absalom then revolts against King David and attempts to overthrow his throne. When David learns about the conspiracy, which involves his personal advisor, Ahithophel, (grandfather of the raped sister), David flees for his life. Climbing the slope of Mt Olives in distress over the entire situation, he cries out, “Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”. These words impressed me, regarding the false information, instigating fear, that is flowing over the airwaves today.

Deception is the act of causing a person to accept as true what is actually false. Today, more and more, people are being subjected to manipulation and control based on lies. Jesus warned His followers to test “the spirits” behind every teaching we hear, 1 John 4:1. We must take every thought captive, aligning each to what is written in the Scriptures, lest we fall to the deception of the mind-blinding spirit from the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4.

David’s kingdom is restored after Absalom’s death, which happened when his head was caught in a tangled branch of a large oak tree. Our heads can get tangled up in some ungodly thoughts if we are not careful.

When David was given the news that the Lord had delivered him from all those rising up against him and that Absalom was dead, he wept in anguish. “My son Absalom! My son, Absalom! If only I had died instead of you,” 2 Samuel 33. I see a correlation between David’s heartfelt cry and what Jesus did. He died for us, died in our place. Bearing the entire weight of sin - suffering in His body for all of it- He undid the curse that results in death. If we choose to make Jesus our Savior and Lord, we will have victory over the grave. The teachings of Jesus are 100% accurate, absolutely reliable, and grant wisdom to see beyond the futility and monotony of life. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My own eye.” Proverbs 32:8. What a promise!

I am grateful for the revelation God is allowing to take place at this time. He is exposing devilish schemes far too long hidden! (See Luke 12:2). As well, I am praying against the ‘spirit of Ahithophel’- that all foolish counsel be halted so that many will know the Lord. The ultimate Teacher in the book of Ecclesiastes concludes the matter with: “fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgement, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”

With a yearning to uncover the secret to life at a young age, Andrea embarked on a journey to dis cover the truth. The study of Psychology proved inadequate, while the forces of darkness were making their presence known. The Hobble, from Ai to Bethel encompasses the author’s personal victory over fear and feeling like a ‘lessen than’ woman. Passionate about God’s Good News in Jesus, Andrea desires to encourage people to never lose hope. Truth begins with a decision to get out of the land of ruin. When not writing, Andrea loves spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoys cycling on the open roads with her husband, David. Please email her at rapture927@aol.com and visit her FB page, In The Way Everlasting.

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