Bad Things DO Happen
When opponents are elected to office and start wreaking havoc, is it time to start praying them out of office? Or if you get a new less-then-desirable boss with a different (and perhaps bad) agenda, is it time to start looking for a new job?
If you’re looking at it all from a natural perspective, probably so. But there’s a third dimension we must never forget—one that David didn’t forget. There was an odd incident in his life to illustrate his God focus. It was when he was running from his son Absolum. A man of the house of Saul named Shimei followed David around and cursed him and threw rocks at him and the men who were with him. (2 Sam 16:5-8)
One of David’s men, Abishai, spoke up. “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.”
How did David respond? Differently than I would! “What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?” (verse 10)
That’s an interesting perspective. He considered that perhaps God put it in that man’s heart to curse him. He explained further. “Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.” (11b-12)
David thought maybe God would honor him for putting up with this out-of-the-blue criticism and verbal abuse.
David’s Old Testament thought process is exactly the one New Testament Peter promotes when facing unjust criticism and grief.
“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1Pet. 2:19-21)
“Taking it” without retribution is a virtue that God values and that Jesus demonstrated. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1Pet. 2:22-23) That’s what Jesus did, and that’s what David did.
So here is a new prism through which to look at my verse for the year, “A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.” Prov. 16:9 Those steps might lead through the muck of someone’s harsh attitude and words. Why? Because there may be a test for me there. God may have directed the steps of that other person to put them in my presence at that time for a reason. How will I respond? However I do respond, it will reveal my heart. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov. 4:23)
Jody