Daily Reading: II Samuel 16:1 – 12
“Have not I commanded thee?
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9
Do not be discouraged. In this world you will have trouble. For our light affliction. For which cause we faint not. Scripture says things like this throughout its
pages which cross the span of time from beginning to end.
There
are a lot of things that happen in our daily life that can discourage us. We should expect trouble to come because we
live in a broken world. In different
seasons of life that trouble may look different. The things that trouble children are
generally not the same things that trouble the elderly. A young man in his teenage years is troubled
by school work, first jobs, and friendships.
A man in his twenties is troubled by adjusting to marriage or getting a
better paying job. The things that
trouble us are generally the things that matter to us at that time.
II Samuel 16 tells of David’s
encounter with trouble and possible discouragement. David had been faithful to the Lord but Shimei,
a descendant of Saul was troubled by David.
Shimei comes out cursing David, calling names, and throwing stones. The natural response of most men is to defend
ourselves. In fact, Abishai offers to, “take
off his head.” We have probably desired
to figuratively do that a time or two when trouble comes our way.
David’s
response is a life lesson for us all. “So
let him curse.” He doesn’t defend or
correct the man. In fact, David seems to
indicate, by recognizing this man as a Benjamite, that he understands why this
man sees it the way he does. David
finishes in verse 12 by considering the possibility that God will reward him
for this affliction he is enduring this day.
When
trouble and afflictions come our way for simply following God, maybe it would
do us well to not worry about what others are saying or doing, but realize
people may see things from a different perspective. Never allow those possible discouragements to
distract you from the work God has placed before you.
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