ACK Diocese of Maseno North, PO BOX 416, Kakamega (2026)

04/09/2026

SERMON: CELEBRATING THE VICTORY

Theme: “The Battle Was Real, But God Gave Us the Victory”
Main Text: 1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Supporting Scriptures: Exodus 14:13–14; Psalm 124:1–8; Romans 8:37; 2 Samuel 22:1–4

Introduction

There are moments when the appropriate response to God is not another prayer of petition, but a song of thanksgiving.

There are seasons when we have cried, struggled, waited and wondered whether we would make it. But somehow, God brought us through.

We are here today because God has been faithful.

The Bible says:
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notice that Paul does not say, “We created the victory.”
He says, “God gives us the victory.”

Our victory is ultimately not a testimony of how strong we are. It is a testimony of how faithful God is.

1. CELEBRATE BECAUSE GOD BROUGHT US THROUGH

Exodus 14:13–14

When Israel stood before the Red Sea, they saw a problem.

Behind them was Pharaoh's army.
Before them was the Red Sea.
They had nowhere to run.

But Moses told them:
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Sometimes victory begins when we stop looking at the size of the battle and start looking at the greatness of our God.

Israel eventually crossed the Red Sea—not because they were stronger than Pharaoh, but because God made a way where there seemed to be no way.

Some of us can testify:

“I don't know how I survived, but God brought me through.”

You may have gone through financial difficulties.
You may have experienced betrayal.
You may have faced opposition.
You may have cried privately.
You may have faced doors that seemed permanently closed.

But you are still standing.

And that is worth celebrating!

2. VICTORY DOES NOT MEAN THERE WAS NO BATTLE

One mistake we make is thinking that if God is with us, we will never face difficulties.

But Scripture teaches something different.

Jesus said:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33

Victory does not mean there was no battle.

Victory means the battle did not destroy you.

David fought Goliath.

Daniel faced the lions.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced the fiery furnace.

Paul experienced imprisonment, rejection and persecution.

Yet God remained faithful.

Therefore, don't be ashamed of your scars.

Your scars are evidence that God brought you through something that was supposed to destroy you.

3. CELEBRATE THE GOD WHO FIGHTS FOR YOU

Psalm 124 says:
“If the LORD had not been on our side…

David understood something important.

There were battles he could not have won by himself.

There were enemies he could not defeat by his own strength.

There were dangers he could not see.

But God was on his side.

And perhaps that is your testimony today:

“If the Lord had not been on my side, where would I be?”

If God had not protected you...

If God had not provided...

If God had not opened that door...

If God had not given you strength...

If God had not sent the right people...

Where would you be?

Therefore, today's celebration is not about us.

It is about God.

4. OUR VICTORY IS THROUGH CHRIST

Paul gives us the foundation of our celebration:
“He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christian victory is not based on our circumstances.

It is based on Christ.

The greatest victory was won at the cross.

Jesus was crucified.

His disciples thought everything was over.

The tomb was sealed.

But on the third day, He rose again!

The resurrection declared that:

Death does not have the final word.

Sin does not have the final word.

The enemy does not have the final word.

Failure does not have the final word.

God has the final word!

And because Christ lives, we can face tomorrow with confidence.

5. CELEBRATE, BUT DON'T FORGET

When God gives us victory, we must remember where we came from.

Israel repeatedly received the instruction:

“Remember.”

Remember what God has done.

Remember the Red Sea.

Remember the wilderness.

Remember the provision.

Remember the protection.

Remember the deliverance.

Why?

Because remembering yesterday's faithfulness gives us courage for tomorrow's battles.

Perhaps you should take some time today and count your victories.

Think about where you were five years ago.

Think about the things you prayed about.

Think about the doors God opened.

Think about the dangers He protected you from.

Think about the people He brought into your life.

Think about the prayers He answered.

And say:
“Ebenezer! Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
— 1 Samuel 7:12

6. YOUR VICTORY SHOULD BECOME A TESTIMONY

God doesn't give us victories merely so that we can keep them to ourselves.

Your testimony can strengthen someone else's faith.

The woman who was healed can tell someone:

“God still heals.”

The person who was delivered can say:

“God still delivers.”

The person who experienced provision can say:

“God still provides.”

The person who survived a difficult season can say:

“Don't give up. God is faithful.”

Your testimony may become somebody else's encouragement.

That's why Revelation 12:11 says:
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

Your testimony has power.

7. CELEBRATE TODAY, BUT EXPECT GREATER THINGS TOMORROW

Victory is not the end of the journey.

God's faithfulness yesterday gives us confidence for tomorrow.

David defeated Goliath, but Goliath was not his last challenge.

Israel crossed the Red Sea, but the Red Sea was not the end of their journey.

Jesus rose from the grave, and the resurrection became the beginning of the Church's mission.

Therefore, don't stop because you have experienced one victory.

There are greater things ahead.

Perhaps God has brought you out of one season because He is preparing you for another.

Perhaps the door that closed was preparing you for a better door.

Perhaps the battle you survived was preparing you for a greater assignment.

Your story is not over

Conclusion: GIVE GOD THE GLORY

Today, we don't celebrate because everything in our lives is perfect.

We celebrate because God has been faithful.

We celebrate because He carried us.

We celebrate because He protected us.

We celebrate because He provided for us.

We celebrate because He forgave us.

We celebrate because He gave us another chance.

We celebrate because Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death.

And therefore, whatever tomorrow brings, we can say:

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So lift your head.

Lift your voice.

Lift your hands.

And give God praise!

The battle may have been difficult—but God brought us through.

The road may have been long—but God never left us.

The enemy may have fought—but God gave us victory.

WE HAVE THE VICTORY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!

Amen!

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03/09/2026

FAITHFULNESS IN TIMES OF BETRAYAL AND CRISIS

Sermon 5: When Faithfulness Means Grieving What You Cannot Change

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:19–33

Key Verse

“O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”
— 2 Samuel 18:33

Theme

Faithfulness does not mean that we will understand everything God allows; sometimes faithfulness means grieving, surrendering, and continuing to trust God.

1. INTRODUCTION: WHEN THE VICTORY DOESN'T FEEL LIKE VICTORY

David had won the battle.
The rebellion had been defeated.
The kingdom was being restored.
The enemy army had been scattered.
From a political and military perspective, this should have been a moment of celebration.

But David was not celebrating.

He was crying.

Why?

Because Absalom was dead.

The man who had betrayed him was also his son.
And this is one of the deepest realities of life:
Sometimes you can win the battle and still have a broken heart.
Sometimes what you prayed for happens, but it doesn't feel the way you imagined.
Sometimes a difficult situation ends, but the wounds remain.
Sometimes justice comes, but you still grieve.
Sometimes the person who hurt you is no longer in your life, yet you still carry the pain.

David teaches us that faithfulness does not eliminate human emotion

2. DAVID'S TEARS REVEAL THE DEPTH OF HIS LOVE

When David hears that Absalom is dead, he does not ask:

“Have we won?”

His first concern is: “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
And when he discovers that Absalom has died, David cries:

“O my son Absalom! My son, my son!”

Notice the repeated words:

“My son.”
David's first identity in that moment is not king.
He is a father.
His son had rebelled.
His son had betrayed him.
His son had tried to take his throne.

But David still loved him.

This teaches us something powerful:
Love does not always disappear when trust is broken.
You can be deeply hurt by someone and still care about them.
You can recognize someone's wrong and still grieve their downfall.
You can forgive someone without forgetting the lesson

3. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORGIVENESS AND TRUST

This is important, especially when dealing with betrayal.

David's grief does not mean that Absalom's actions were acceptable.

It does not mean David should have ignored the rebellion.

It does not mean there should never have been boundaries.

Forgiveness says:

“I release revenge into God's hands.”

Trust says:

“I believe you are safe and dependable.”

They are not always the same thing.

You may forgive someone while still being wise about future boundaries.

You may love someone while refusing to enable destructive behaviour.

You may pray for someone while recognizing that they need to face consequences.

Christian forgiveness is not foolishness

4. DAVID GRIEVED—AND THAT IS OKAY

Sometimes Christians think that because we have faith, we should never cry.

But David cried.

Jesus cried.

Grief is not evidence that you have lost your faith.

Grief is evidence that you have loved.

If you have lost someone you loved, you may still cry years later.

If a relationship has been broken, you may still feel the pain.

If someone betrayed you, you may still wonder:

“Why did this happen?”

Faith doesn't mean pretending that it doesn't hurt.
Faith means saying:

“Lord, this hurts—but I will still trust You.”

5. DAVID'S QUESTION: “WOULD THAT I HAD DIED IN YOUR PLACE”

David says:

“If only I had died instead of you!”

This is the language of a grieving parent.

David wished he could exchange his life for his son's.

And this points us toward an even greater truth in Scripture.

Centuries later, another Father would watch His Son die—not because He lacked power to stop it, but because salvation required it.

And the Son would willingly give His life for others.

David's grief points us toward the greater love revealed in Christ:

Jesus gave Himself for people who did not deserve it.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8

David could not die in Absalom's place.

But Jesus did die in our place.

That is the greatest demonstration of faithful love.

6. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO GRIEVE WHAT WE CANNOT CHANGE

David could not bring Absalom back.
He could not rewrite the past.
He could not undo the rebellion.
He could not change the battle.
He could not change the outcome.
All he could do was grieve and eventually move forward.

There are things in our lives that we cannot change.

You cannot change yesterday.
You cannot undo certain words.
You cannot recover certain opportunities.
You cannot bring certain people back.
You cannot force someone to apologize.
You cannot make someone love you.
You cannot rewrite someone's decision.

Faithfulness sometimes means saying:

“Lord, I cannot change this anymore. I place it in Your hands.”

That is not giving up.

That is surrender.

7. DON'T LET GRIEF BECOME YOUR PERMANENT HOME

David was grieving, but eventually he had to rise.

The kingdom still needed leadership.

People were waiting for him.

Jerusalem needed to be restored.

The nation needed direction.

There comes a moment when grief must be acknowledged but cannot be allowed to completely stop our calling.

There is a time to cry.

There is a time to mourn.

There is a time to sit quietly before God.

But there is also a time to rise.

Your pain is real, but your purpose is still real.

Your loss is real, but God's calling is still real.

Your disappointment is real, but your future is still in God's hands.

8. DON'T ALLOW BETRAYAL TO DESTROY YOUR CAPACITY TO LOVE

One of the dangers of betrayal is that we begin to protect ourselves by closing our hearts.

We say:

“I will never trust anyone again.”

“I will never love like that again.”

“Everybody is the same.”

But that can become another kind of prison.

One person's betrayal should not determine your relationship with everyone else.

Don't let one Judas make you suspicious of every disciple.

Don't let one betrayal make you reject genuine relationships.

Don't let one painful experience convince you that love itself is dangerous.

Remain open to God's people, while growing in wisdom.

9. GOD DOES NOT WASTE OUR PAIN

David's experience became part of his story.

His pain shaped him.

His failures shaped him.

His victories shaped him.

His betrayals shaped him.

His grief shaped him.

And God can do the same with us.

The wound you carry today may eventually become the place from which you comfort someone else.

The betrayal you survived may give you wisdom to help someone else.

The grief you experienced may make you more compassionate.

Paul says:

“The God of all comfort... comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.”
— 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Your pain does not have to be wasted.

God can turn wounds into wisdom.

10. THREE THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU ARE GRIEVING

1. Take your grief to God

Don't hide your emotions from God.

Pray honestly.

Cry before Him.

Tell Him what hurts.

The Psalms show us that God can handle honest prayers.

2. Allow yourself to mourn

Don't rush the healing process.

Some wounds take time.

There is no shame in saying:

“I am still hurting.”

Healing is often a journey rather than an event.

3. Eventually, get up and keep walking

There comes a time when you must say:

“I cannot change what happened, but I can decide what I will do with what happened.”

You can continue serving.

Continue loving.

Continue praying.

Continue trusting.

Continue living.

Continue walking with God.

11. A QUESTION FOR THE CONGREGATION

Ask the congregation:

“What am I still trying to change that God is asking me to surrender?”

Perhaps it is:

a broken relationship,

something someone did to you,

a missed opportunity,

a past mistake,

a betrayal,

a loss,

something you wish had happened differently.

You cannot change the past.

But you can surrender it.

Tell yourself:

“I cannot change yesterday, but I can trust God with tomorrow.”

12. THE HOPE OF THE CHRISTIAN

The story does not end with Absalom's death.

David's story continues.

And our stories continue too.

There may be chapters of betrayal.

There may be chapters of disappointment.

There may be chapters of grief.

But God is not finished writing.

Your present pain is not necessarily your final chapter.

The Christian hope is not that we will never experience loss.

Our hope is that death, pain and loss do not have the final word.

Because of Christ, we look forward to the day when:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
— Revelation 21:4

CONCLUSION: GRIEVE, SURRENDER, AND KEEP WALKING

David's cry is one of the most emotional passages in the Old Testament:

“My son, my son Absalom!”

It reminds us that behind every conflict there are human beings with hearts, families and stories.

And sometimes the person who hurt us is also someone we deeply loved.

If you are carrying such pain today, hear this:

You are allowed to grieve.

You are allowed to cry.

You are allowed to acknowledge that it hurts.

But don't build your permanent home in your pain.

Bring it to God.

Surrender what you cannot change.

Forgive where forgiveness is needed.

Learn what the experience has taught you.

And when God gives you strength—

Get up and keep walking.

Because faithfulness is not the absence of tears.

Faithfulness is continuing to trust God through the tears.

🙏 CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with the wounds and disappointments we carry.

Some of us have experienced betrayal from people we trusted. Some have lost relationships. Some are grieving people they loved. Others are carrying wounds from the past that they have never fully surrendered to You.

Lord, teach us to grieve without losing hope.

Teach us to forgive without becoming foolish.

Teach us to love without abandoning wisdom.

Help us to surrender what we cannot change.

Where there is bitterness, bring healing.

Where there is anger, bring peace.

Where there is grief, bring comfort.

Where there is regret, bring grace.

And when we have cried enough, give us the strength to rise again.

Help us to remember that our story is still in Your hands.

May our wounds become testimonies, our pain become wisdom, and our tears become prayers.

Above all, help us remain faithful to You through every season of life.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen.

To support this Ministry please use Paybill 880100 ACC. 5087630031.

02/09/2026

FAITHFULNESS IN TIMES OF BETRAYAL AND CRISIS

Sermon 3: Faithfulness When the Crisis Becomes Personal

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1–18

Key Verse

“Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.”
— 2 Samuel 18:5

Theme

Faithfulness is tested most deeply when the person who hurts us is someone we love

1. INTRODUCTION: WHEN THE ENEMY IS SOMEONE YOU LOVE

There are battles that are easy to fight because we know exactly who the enemy is.

But what happens when the person standing on the other side of the battle is someone you love?

David had faced Goliath.

He had faced Saul.

He had faced enemies from surrounding nations.

But this battle was different.

Absalom was his son.

The man who was leading the rebellion against David was not a stranger. He was someone David had carried, raised and loved.

This is what makes 2 Samuel 18 so painful.

David is preparing his army for battle, but his heart is not celebrating victory. His greatest concern is not simply whether he will win the kingdom.

His concern is:

“What will happen to my son?”

And David gives his commanders an extraordinary instruction:

“Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.”

David's son had betrayed him, but David had not stopped loving him.

2. FAITHFULNESS DOES NOT MEAN WE STOP LOVING PEOPLE WHO HURT US

Absalom had caused tremendous pain.

He had turned people against his father.

He had taken Jerusalem.

He had declared himself king.

He had pursued David's life.

Yet David still loved him.

This does not mean David approved of Absalom's actions.

Love and approval are not the same thing.

We can love someone without approving of what they are doing.

We can forgive someone without pretending that nothing happened.

We can maintain compassion while still establishing boundaries.

There is an important Christian principle here:

The failure of another person should not determine the quality of our love.

Jesus said:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
— Matthew 5:44

That is difficult.

It is easy to love those who love us.

But faithfulness is demonstrated when our love survives disappointment, betrayal and pain.

3. DAVID REMAINED A LEADER EVEN WHILE HE WAS A WOUNDED FATHER

David was both king and father.

As king, he had a responsibility to protect the nation.

As father, he had a responsibility to care about his son.

These two responsibilities collided.

This teaches us something important about leadership:

Good leaders can carry personal pain without abandoning their responsibility.

David organized the army.

He appointed commanders.

He positioned the troops.

He made strategic decisions.

But underneath the king was a grieving father.

Sometimes people in leadership are also carrying private battles that others cannot see.

A person may be standing before people with confidence while privately carrying pain.

A preacher may preach while carrying personal sorrow.

A parent may encourage others while worrying about their own children.

A leader may make difficult decisions while their heart is breaking.

Therefore, we should learn to show grace to people.

You don't always know what someone is carrying.

4. DAVID'S HEART REVEALS THE POWER OF PARENTAL LOVE

David's concern was Absalom.

He didn't say:

“Make sure you defeat Absalom.”

His instruction was:
“Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.”

Imagine the emotions behind those words.
David knew Absalom had rebelled.
He knew the rebellion had to be stopped.
But he still hoped his son would survive.
This is the complexity of love.

Sometimes love means saying:

“What you are doing is wrong, but I still love you.”

Sometimes love means:

“I cannot support your actions, but I will continue praying for you.”

Sometimes love means:

“I have been hurt by you, but I refuse to hate you.”

5. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ALLOW TO GROW IN YOUR HEART

Absalom's rebellion did not begin on the battlefield.

It began much earlier.

It developed in his heart.

He became increasingly dissatisfied.

He positioned himself at the city gate.

He won people's hearts.

He created suspicion toward his father.

Eventually, ambition became rebellion.

This gives us a warning:
Small things left unchecked can become major problems.
Bitterness can become hatred.
Disappointment can become resentment.
Resentment can become rebellion.
Ambition can become pride.
Pride can become destruction.

Therefore, we must regularly examine our hearts.

Ask yourself:
What am I allowing to grow inside me?
Is there bitterness I have not dealt with?
Is there unforgiveness?
Is there jealousy?
Is there pride?
Is there an old wound controlling my present decisions?

What we tolerate in the heart today can become tomorrow's crisis.

6. THE BATTLE WAS WON, BUT THE VICTORY WAS BITTERSWEET

The army of David defeated Absalom's forces.

From a military perspective, David's side won.

But there was no celebration in David's heart.

Why?

Because Absalom was dead.

This reminds us that not every victory feels like victory.

Sometimes you achieve what you wanted but lose something precious along the way.

You may win an argument but lose a relationship.

You may win a position but lose a friend.

You may prove that you were right but destroy peace.

You may defeat your opponent but wound yourself emotionally.

Therefore:
Not every victory should be celebrated without reflection.

Ask:
“What did my victory cost me?

7. THE DANGER OF WINNING THE BATTLE BUT LOSING THE HEART

David's army wanted to win.

But David wanted his son to live.

This creates a powerful spiritual lesson.

There are times when we become so focused on winning that we forget about people.

We want to prove our point.

We want to defend our reputation.

We want to show that we are right.

We want others to admit they were wrong.

But sometimes the greater Christian victory is not proving that you are right.

It is preserving your heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Don't allow betrayal to poison your heart.

Don't allow disappointment to destroy your compassion.

Don't allow conflict to turn you into someone God never intended you to become.

8. THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO OUR ACTIONS

We must also be honest about Absalom.

David's love for Absalom did not remove the consequences of Absalom's choices.

Absalom had made decisions.

Those decisions had consequences.

This is an important balance:

Grace does not cancel responsibility.

We can forgive someone while still allowing consequences.

We can love someone while refusing to enable destructive behaviour.

We can pray for someone without agreeing with their actions.

God's grace does not mean that our choices don't matter.

Choices have consequences.

9. GOD CAN USE CRISIS TO REVEAL OUR HEART

The crisis revealed different hearts.

Absalom's heart

Ambition, rebellion and pride.

David's heart

Pain, love and compassion.

The soldiers' hearts

Loyalty to their king.

Joab's actions

A willingness to make difficult and ruthless decisions.

The same crisis revealed what was already inside different people.

And crises do the same to us.

When pressure comes:

Who do we become?

When someone insults us, who do we become?

When we are betrayed, who do we become?

When someone challenges our authority, who do we become?

When our plans fail, who do we become?

Crisis doesn't always create character. Often, it reveals character.

10. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US TODAY?

In our families

Sometimes children disappoint their parents.

Sometimes parents disappoint their children.

Sometimes siblings fall out.

Sometimes families experience deep wounds.

The lesson is:

Don't allow conflict to completely destroy love.

Correct where necessary.

Set boundaries where necessary.

But keep praying.

Keep loving.

Keep hoping.

In the Church

Churches can experience disagreements, betrayal and leadership conflicts.

People can disappoint us.

Leaders can disappoint followers.

Followers can disappoint leaders.

But our calling remains:

Be faithful to Christ even when people disappoint you.

Don't allow someone's behaviour to destroy your relationship with God

In leadership

Leadership will sometimes become personal.

People may misunderstand your decisions.

People may oppose you.

People may leave.

People may criticize you.

But don't lose your character because of criticism.

Lead with conviction, but also lead with compassion.

11. THREE QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

1. Who has hurt me that I have stopped loving?

Not necessarily trusting.

Not necessarily giving access to.

But loving?

2. Has my pain changed my character?

Have I become more bitter?

More suspicious?

More angry?

More unforgiving?

3. Can I surrender the person who hurt me to God?

Sometimes healing begins when we stop trying to control the other person's outcome and allow God to deal with them.

12. CONCLUSION: REMAIN FAITHFUL

David's story reminds us that betrayal can become deeply personal.

Sometimes the person who hurts us is:

someone we trusted,

someone we raised,

someone we served,

someone we loved,

someone we thought would never betray us.

And when that happens, our faithfulness is tested.

But the call remains:

Remain faithful.

Love without approving evil.

Forgive without abandoning wisdom.

Set boundaries without hatred.

Correct without destroying.

Lead without bitterness.

And above all:

Don't allow another person's failure to become your failure.

FINAL THOUGHT

Perhaps the greatest question from this passage is not:

“Who has betrayed me?”

The greater question is:

“What kind of person will I become because I have been betrayed?”

Will I become bitter?

Will I become revengeful?

Will I become suspicious of everyone?

Or will I allow God to use the pain to make me more compassionate, more mature, more prayerful and more faithful?

Faithfulness is not proven when life is easy.

Faithfulness is proven when your heart is wounded and you still choose God's way

🙏 Closing Prayer

Gracious and loving Father,

We thank You because You remain faithful even when people fail us. Give us the grace to remain faithful when betrayal becomes personal.

Heal the wounds in our hearts. Help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Give us wisdom to know when to embrace, when to establish boundaries, when to speak and when to remain silent.

Protect us from bitterness, hatred and revenge.

Help parents who are hurting because of their children. Help children who are hurting because of their parents. Heal broken relationships and restore what can be restored.

And when we cannot change the situation, teach us to surrender it into Your hands.

May our pain not make us bitter. May it make us better.

May our wounds not destroy our character. May they draw us closer to You.

And above all, help us to remain faithful.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

To support this Ministry please use Paybill 880100 Acc. 5087630031.

31/08/2026

FAITHFULNESS IN TIMES OF BETRAYAL AND CRISIS

Sermon 3: WHEN YOUR PLANS ARE DISRUPTED

Text: 2 Samuel 17:1–14

Theme: Trusting God When the Enemy Seems to Have the Advantage

Key Verse:

“The LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.” — 2 Samuel 17:14

Introduction

In our first sermon, “When the King Has to Flee,” David fled Jerusalem because his son Absalom had rebelled against him.

In our second sermon, “When Your Friends Turn Against You,” we saw David being cursed and humiliated by Shimei. Yet David refused to retaliate and chose to leave the matter in God's hands.

Now David is still in crisis.

But something is happening behind the scenes.

Absalom is receiving counsel from Ahithophel, one of David's former advisers. Ahithophel presents a plan that appears extremely dangerous.

His advice is simple:

Attack David immediately while he is weak and exhausted.

Humanly speaking, it is an excellent military strategy.

David appears finished.

But then something unexpected happens.

Absalom asks Hushai for his opinion.

And Hushai gives different advice.

God uses Hushai's counsel to frustrate Ahithophel's plan.

This passage teaches us a powerful truth:

Sometimes God is working behind the scenes even when everything in front of us looks hopeless.

1. YOUR ENEMY MAY HAVE A PLAN, BUT GOD HAS THE FINAL WORD

Ahithophel's plan is intelligent.

He understands David's condition.

He knows David is tired.

He knows David has limited resources.

He says, in essence:

“Let me pursue him tonight.”

The plan seems perfect.

But verse 14 says:

“The LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel.”

Notice something important:

The Bible doesn't say Ahithophel's advice was foolish.

It calls it good advice.

Humanly speaking, it made sense.

But even the best human strategy cannot overcome God's purposes.

People may have plans concerning your life, but God has the final word.

Someone may plan your failure.

Someone may plan to undermine you.

Someone may plan to destroy your reputation.

Someone may plan to close a door against you.

But remember:

Their plan is not greater than God's purpose.

2. GOD CAN CHANGE THE COURSE OF EVENTS

Absalom is surrounded by people who support him.

David is running away.

Everything seems to be moving in Absalom's favor.

But suddenly, the situation changes.

Hushai gives another opinion.

Absalom listens.

And that one decision changes everything.

This reminds us that:

God does not always change the situation immediately. Sometimes He changes the decisions of the people involved.

You may be praying for a door to open.

God may instead cause someone to reconsider.

You may be praying for protection.

God may cause someone's plan to fail.

You may be praying for provision.

God may move someone you never expected to help you.

God has many ways of answering prayer.

3. GOD OFTEN WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES

One of the most encouraging things about this story is that David cannot see everything that God is doing.

David is in the wilderness.

He probably doesn't know what is happening in Absalom's meeting.

He doesn't know that Ahithophel has proposed an attack.

He doesn't know that Hushai is about to give counter-advice.

He doesn't know that God is frustrating the enemy's plan.

But God is working.

And perhaps that's where some of us are today.

You don't know what is happening behind the scenes.

You don't know why God hasn't answered yet.

You don't know why the situation is taking so long.

You don't know how your problem will be solved.

But this passage reminds us:

Your inability to see God working does not mean God is inactive.

4. DELAY DOES NOT MEAN DENIAL

David is still in the wilderness.

The situation has not changed immediately.

He is still displaced.

He is still vulnerable.

But God is buying him time.

Sometimes we pray:

“Lord, change my situation now!”

But God may answer:

“Wait. I am working.”

The delay may be protecting you.

The delay may be preparing you.

The delay may be positioning people.

The delay may be frustrating an enemy's plan.

Never interpret God's silence as God's absence.

Sometimes God is doing His deepest work when we see the least evidence of it.

5. GOD CAN USE UNEXPECTED PEOPLE TO SAVE YOU

David has loyal people around him.

But one of the most important people in this story is Hushai.

Hushai is in a dangerous position.

He has entered Absalom's camp.

He must speak carefully.

But God uses him to influence Absalom's decision.

This shows us that:

God can position people in places you cannot reach.

You may not have access to certain rooms.

You may not know certain decision-makers.

You may not know what is being discussed about you.

But God can place a Hushai in the room.

Someone may speak on your behalf.

Someone may challenge a wrong decision.

Someone may provide the information you need.

Someone may open a door.

Therefore, don't panic because you don't have control over everything.

God has access to rooms you cannot enter.

6. BE CAREFUL WHEN SUCCESS MAKES YOU OVERCONFIDENT

Absalom is winning.

He has taken Jerusalem.

People are following him.

Ahithophel is giving him excellent advice.

And Absalom begins to believe that victory is guaranteed.

But his confidence becomes his weakness.

Hushai appeals to Absalom's desire for a spectacular victory.

He essentially tells him:

“Don't just attack David with a small force. Gather the entire army. Then you will personally lead them.”

Absalom likes the idea.

And that pride gives David time.

Pride can make us reject simple wisdom because we want something impressive.

Sometimes the simple path is God's path.

Sometimes humility will protect you.

Sometimes listening to wise counsel is better than following your ego.

7. GOD CAN TURN THE ENEMY'S STRENGTH INTO A WEAKNESS

Ahithophel's original plan was:

Attack quickly.

Hushai's plan causes Absalom to:

Wait. Gather everyone. Prepare a massive army.

The delay gives David time to escape.

The enemy's desire for a bigger victory becomes the very thing that weakens their position.

Isn't God amazing?

What was intended to destroy David became an opportunity for David to escape.

This is why we should never give up too early.

You may look at your situation and say:

“This is the end.”

But God may be saying:

“I am turning this around.”

8. FAITH DOES NOT MEAN YOU STOP ACTING

David's protection was not simply supernatural.

There were people moving.

Hushai was working.

Messengers were carrying information.

Jonathan and Ahimaaz were involved.

People were taking risks.

David was moving.

This is important:

Trusting God does not mean becoming passive.

Pray—but act wisely.

Trust God—but make responsible decisions.

Believe God—but use the opportunities He provides.

Faith and action work together.

9. GOD'S PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL

The central message of this passage is not that David was cleverer than Absalom.

It is not that Hushai was smarter than Ahithophel.

It is not even about military strategy.

The central message is:

God was preserving David according to His purpose.

Absalom had a plan.

Ahithophel had a plan.

Hushai had a plan.

But ultimately:

God had a plan.

And God's plan prevailed.

Proverbs 19:21 says:

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

A MESSAGE FOR US TODAY

Perhaps you are facing a disrupted plan.

You had a plan for your career.

It didn't work.

You had a plan for your family.

Things changed.

You had a plan for ministry.

Something happened.

You had a business plan.

The circumstances changed.

You expected one outcome.

You received another.

Remember David.

A disrupted plan does not mean a defeated destiny.

Sometimes God allows your plan to fail because He has a better plan.

Sometimes the door closes because God is protecting you.

Sometimes the delay is preparation.

Sometimes the disappointment is redirection.

Sometimes what looks like defeat is actually divine protection.

Three Questions for Reflection

1. What plan in my life has recently been disrupted?

Can I trust God even though things didn't happen the way I expected?

2. Am I able to believe that God is working behind the scenes?

Even when I cannot see evidence?

3. Am I willing to surrender my plans to God's purpose?

Can I honestly pray:

“Lord, not my plan, but Your will be done”?

Conclusion: GOD IS STILL WORKING

David is in the wilderness.

Absalom is in Jerusalem.

Ahithophel has a brilliant plan.

Everything appears to be going against David.

But behind the scenes, God is working.

And that is the encouragement for us today:

Don't judge God's work by what you can see.

You may see the problem.

God sees the solution.

You may see the enemy's plan.

God sees the way out.

You may see a closed door.

God sees another door.

You may see delay.

God sees preparation.

You may see defeat.

God may be preparing victory.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep walking.

Because even when your plans are disrupted,

God's purpose is not disrupted.

And when God's purpose is upon your life,

no human plan can have the final word.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You because You are the God who works even when we cannot see You working.

When our plans are disrupted, help us not to lose hope.

When circumstances seem to favor those who oppose us, remind us that You are still sovereign.

Give us wisdom to act, courage to wait, and faith to trust Your timing.

Place the right people around us. Give us discernment to recognize the help You send.

Above all, teach us to surrender our plans to Your purpose.

May we remember that what we cannot see does not mean You are not working.

When our plans fail, help us trust Your plan.

When the road is uncertain, help us keep walking.

And when the answer finally comes, may we give You all the glory.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 🙏

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PO BOX 416
Kakamega
50100

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+254202103103

Website

http://www.ackdioceseofmasenonorth.org/

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