-April 25, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,
“…Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord has ordered him. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”
(2 Samuel 16:11-12).
Yesterday our subject was, “Letting God Deal With Those Who Wrong Us.” Today, we will consider how God worked produced tremendous restraint in his heart. The word restraint is defined as, “A measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control or within limits. We know it in Scripture as self-control.
David had just fled from Jerusalem because his own son Absalom usurped his throne and threatened his life. He and all his mighty men and a few others loyal to him went went into exile. This was very hard on David spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
As David was “getting out of Dodge,” he was disappointed and discouraged. As he and his men trudged along, a certain Benjaminite named Shimei went along the road cursing David, calling him “bloodthirsty man and a rogue. He even threw stones at him and kicked up dust. Basically, he made life difficult for David.
David had the opportunity to kill this wicked man, but chose not to. One of his officers named Abishai said to him, “Please, let me go and take off his head!” David refused, citing that God ordered it. He saw everything that happened to him as from the Lord.
Later in life, Shimei apologized and David let him live. David told his son Solomon the next king, to deal appropriately with him. Solomon put a restriction on him: he could stay alive only if he stayed in Jerusalem. After three years he went off to find a runaway slave, and when he returned Solomon had him executed.
One reaps what he sows. You can’t curse the ruler of your people and get away with it. He got what he deserved. It was from the Lord.
There was also three different occasions where David had the opportunity to kill Saul who was pursuing him. Each time he refused to lift up his hand against the Lord’s anointed. He let God handle Saul.
May the Lord help us to show restraint and self-control when handling difficult, obstinate, ornery people. God will handle them in His way and timing.
Have a blessed day showing mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward others. Stay safe and healthy.
It takes a big person to be restrained and self-controlled.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 