Tuesday March 19th, 2024
« It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes (commandments) »
5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.
6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!
8 The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”
9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”
10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
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.”
Understand
Our memory verse today is a pointer to one fact: when we are locked down, we should discover what God really wants us to learn at such times.
It is amazing to read the Psalmist saying in Psalm 119:71 CW
« It is good for me that I suffered, that I might learn your commandments »
“It is good” the Psalmist says, “that I have been afflicted”.
For what reason?
“That I might learn thy statutes”.
This is incredible!
« We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan »
The Psalmist knew the benefit of a lockdown.
In today’s Bible text, we read about David’s experience when a palace coup was staged against him by his son Absalom.
As he was fleeing, a relative of King Saul – Shimei came forth, stoning and cursing David and his entourage.
A servant of David, Abishai was enraged and sought permission to kill Shimei but David’s reaction was completely different, as he believed that God was teaching him a lesson through all the problems he was faced with. 2 Samuel 16:11 NLT
« Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it »
There are a lot of lessons to learn from the lockdown of David.
David believed that God allowed it for a purpose.
He did not fight back at the man who cursed and insulted him since his son Absalom, had done worse.
He believed that all things would work for his good (Romans 8:28).
He taught his followers that the furnace of humiliation would perfect God’s will for his life.
Children of God should share this belief for whatever situation they may find themselves in, with faith that all things would eventually work together for their good.
Prayer focus – Father, please turn all my gloomy moments to brightness today, in Jesus’ name.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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