08
Taking the Hits
John Tilton2 Samuel 16:5-10As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
As I read these scriptures, I thought that it would have been so easy for David or Abishai to kill Shimei for his disrespect of King David and his physical acts of aggression toward David by throwing stones. David sure had the wherewithal with the officials, troops and special guard. Yet, David did not strike back at Shimei, even when Abishai implored him to do so. Instead, David shared an interesting reply. What if the Lord was prompting Shimei to do what he was doing? Even when being disrespected and physically attacked, viewed situations through the eyes of what God may be doing, and as it is said, being a man after God’s own heart, despite his mistakes and sin.
As David took the verbal and physical hits from Shimei, so may we sometimes be called to or be placed in a situation for the Lord whereby we will be dealing with hits from others; often due to situations way beyond our control or understanding. I think of the hits our church of New Hope Oahu have taken this past year in the public eye due to incorrect or misstated information in the media. I’ve also noted fellow Christians and peers have hurled abusive verbal attacks. Yet it was clear that we should seek God’s will in allowing these things to happen, both in prayer and waiting upon him, sharing what is true and righteous if the times comes, and letting go of the things that we can so as not to be distracted from the Lord. We often will have to persevere and take the hits due to the possibility that God is allowing certain situations to take place for His will and purpose. Good and blessings often do come forth from seasons of pain and suffering with great lessons and individual growth.
Dear Lord, if and when wrongful words and actions are taken against your church, my family and myself, please guide and enable me to persevere and take the hits. I know that while I am taking the hits,
You are still working on the best business plan available.
