DAVID - Trust Regardless!

This morning I was reading about how David and his people left the city of Jerusalem, for its protection, and his, when Absalom his son declared himself king.  Along the way, a man called Shimei, from the tribe of Saul started hurling abuse (and rocks) at him, and cursing him, saying pretty much that David was getting his just deserts due to ousting Saul and his family, etc. 

David's men, in particular Abishai said to the king, let us cut off his head, why should he curse the king.  David's response was to say to Abishai and all with him, 2 Sam 16 vs 11 - 12: (11) "Behold, my own son seeks my life;  how much more this Benjaminite!  Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.  (12) It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today."

So, they continued on in silence!

It must have been very humiliating for David to put up with this derogatory behaviour.  And his men, they must have lost respect for him in that moment thinking that David, this king, was not standing up for himself. 

Earlier, on this trip away from Jerusalem, David had told the priests to take the Ark of God back to Jerusalem, saying:  2 Sam 15 vs 25 - 26:  (25) "Carry the ark of God back into the city.  If I find favour in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place.  (26) But if He says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me what seems good to Him."

My bibles notes say that firstly, David may still have thought God was continuing to punish him for his sin with Bathsheba (the consequences thereof declared by Nathan), and secondly, David did not want to use the Ark of God as a sort of good luck charm to keep him safe on this journey.

As I read these verses, I had this realisation: 

• David trusted God despite wondering if God was still punishing him for past sins.  
• David trusted God even though his own son was seeking to kill him and overthrow him.  
• David trusted God despite being ridiculed by people along the way observing the king "running away".  

I often feel badly done by.  Why is this tough time here to hurt me?  Have I not repented of my sins?  Am I being punished for something still, or because of something I have not acknowledged?  And I get all bent out of shape and my attitude is really quite injured towards the Lord.  How can He be doing this to me or, letting this happen to me?  Firstly, God is not "doing anything to" me.  Anything and everything good is from the Lord.  Secondly, there are consequences to our actions even when we seek forgiveness.  I do believe though that God is gracious to us in those consequences when we turn to Him.  Thirdly, my trust in God should not dissolve because of the weight of a scary/unjust/unfair/uncalled for circumstance.  Or, for that matter, a circumstance as a result of consequences.  I should be trusting God regardless!

In the verses above, not only does David choose to trust God to treat him as He wishes, but he also speaks hope:  - "It may be the Lord will see this wrong done to me and repay me with good ...."

and - "If I find favour in His eyes, He will bring me back to see the Ark and His dwelling place ...."

David states his hope in God, but says if God does not take pleasure in him, then God must do to him what He will.  David trusted God to be just, regardless of how that affected him!

What an awesome mindset to have.  A great attitude to aspire to.

I hope you are encouraged, as I am, to trust God regardless of how things look and what it is He is doing in your life, whether you understand it or not!

God bless

Tracy

Just a footnote re the above:  

• Shimei, the man who threw stones and insults, on David's way back to Jerusalem fell on his knees before David and begged him not to hold his words and actions against him. (2 Sam 19 vs 16 - 23). 
• Absalom, David's son was killed going into battle against his father
• David got to return to Jerusalem triumphant, and with much support, and he chose to be gracious to all who had turned against him in those moments.