In 2 Samuel 21:1-14, the story of Rizpah is presented. This is the story of a woman who is driven by an undying love for her two sons and the audacity of hope. Her sons had been killed and their bodies were left unburied. She was determined to guard the bodies of her two dead sons, no matter what the cost. She was bold enough to set up camp on a rock, located near her sons. She sat on that rock day and night; fanning away the birds by day and the animals by night. She seized the opportunity to be their hero.

She was determined to accomplish her purpose and destined to see this noble cause through, no matter how long it would take. She never spoke a word; she acted. She never complained about her circumstances; she acted. Her response was immediate. She didn’t have time to grieve. She didn’t have time to mourn. She didn’t have time to play the blame game or to find fault. She didn’t have time for a pity party.

She didn’t take the time to call her friends to seek their advice or counsel or to enlist their help. She was not a woman of means. In other words, she wasn’t affluent. She was once King Saul’s concubine (his girlfriend). But now, King Saul is dead. Who cares about this woman and her two sons? Who cares about her situation? Who is concerned about her predicament? She is in the middle of a personal crisis.

She is not a woman of influence. Maybe she used to be but not anymore. She had no power of authority but what she did have is HOPE. She was considered a nobody and no one cared what she was going through. Nobody cared what happened to her. Nobody cared how she was suffering. Nobody cared enough to help bear her burdens. Nobody cared…

She was in this thing all by herself. Have you ever had a Rizpah situation, where you felt like you were all alone? Have you ever been all by yourself, in a mess? I’ve been there. I can relate to Rizpah. I know what it’s like to try to work things out on my own, not realizing that God was waiting for me to let it go and to turn it over to Him.

For 5 months, Rizpah stood guard over her sons remains, watching over them day and night. Not once did anyone intervene to help her out. Not once did anyone step up and say, “Rizpah, I’ll take it from here” or “Rizpah, I’ll cover the day shift and you can cover the night shift”.I’m sure they all heard about it. I’m sure they were all talking about it. But, no one stepped in to do anything about it.

That is, until somebody told King David what Rizpah was doing. Then and only then did he remember that King Saul and his son Jonathan had not received a proper burial either. So, King David ordered that the 2 sons of Rizpah, the 5 sons of Michal and the bones of King Saul and Jonathan be buried. That is when Rizpah got what she was waiting and hoping and praying for; a decent burial for her sons. She received her heart’s desire.

God has not forgotten you. He will see you through. What dead situation are you dealing with? Just remember, anything dead ought to be buried and God is a very present help in the time of trouble. He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always on time.

Love and Blessings, Jacqueline