Confidence in Times of Trouble

In 2 Samuel 13-18 we read that David’s son, Absalom, revolts against David and attempts to take the kingdom. While David is leaving Jerusalem, escaping for his life, he is met by a man named Shimei who curses him. One of David’s men asks permission to cut off Shimei’s head, and this is how David answers: 11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. 12 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.

Yesterday I talked about how David’s confidence in God helped him be kind to someone. Today, David’s confidence in God gets him through a troubled time, without the need to take revenge. This is the lowest point in David’s “kingship”, and yet he still sees God as being in charge. If God decides to take away the kingdom, that is up to God. David will deal with it either way.

This kind of attitude is helpful for all of us. Our natural reaction is to do all we can to protect ourselves, even if that means harming someone else. But is that what God desires? Not at all. We can all learn from David as David is willing to trust God’s plan, good or bad. Are you willing to do that?