Guess Who's Got Your Back??!!!
"O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity and seek after leasing? Selah.
But know that the LORD God hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him." Psalm 4:2,3
As I read this Psalm this morning, the "mood" of the psalmist David, caught my attention. Knowing what David was experiencing --the rebellion of his own son, Absalom, being under attack by Shimei (along with his faithful servants), while fleeing the wrath of Absalom. 2nd Samuel 16:11 says it all: "Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him."
By this point in his life, even with all of his military might and power (as king), David must be feeling like drama and terror are a constant companion. In fact, he thinks that even God has turned His back against him--and sent Shimei to assault him. Every time things seem to be peaceful, trouble is not far behind. Ever feel that way--you know living in a state of "waiting for the other shoe--the deadly one, to drop"? Aside from the Shimei's in David's life, there are Saul and Absalom to contend with. Saul's "shoe" dropped squarely on the head of David, in spite of the fact that David loved him, and served him faithfully. And, now, this son of David, Absalom wins the hearts of the people in an attempt to steal the throne from his own father. Even worse, David's own counselor (Ahithophel) sides with Absalom, against him!
So, Absalom rebelled and is seeking to kill him, Shimei is trying to stone him (and his servants with him--that makes things even harder. Feeling like you are the cause of the pain of those you love), Saul once upon a time, came out against him--out of his own insecurity, insanity and pride, David had to flee from Jerusalem again thanks to Absalom's rebellion, and his counselor/adviser Ahithophel is seduced into serving Absalom, in his wickedness. That's A LOT to contend with in any one lifetime. I think I would need a few lifetime's to get through all of that! Certainly, David could say, "when it rains it pours!" Now, add David's sin to that mix, and it's a wonder he survived, much less became a man after God's own heart. At this time, I'm sure David felt as if God wasn't with him. See, you're not the only one--there's a great cloud of witnesses before you who experienced this. We are not alone in our suffering--in more ways than one. Clearly, God is ALWAYS present--even when we can't see through the fog of pain, death, injustice, loss and more, He Is there. What a blessed hope for this treacherous journey called life. And, we're in good company, suffering is inevitable in life. However, for the child of God, there is blessing in our suffering. Just ask Jesus, Joseph, and all of the others who suffered before us. It's not for naught. Victory is embedded in our suffering.
Believe it or not, David recognized the help of God, in his time of trouble. So, although many said, "there is no help for him in God, because his enemies were coming in droves, David was sustained by the LORD. When it would seem that he would toss and turn, he SLEPT, because God Is a Shield and Lifter of our heads. That's one of the most amazing things about walking with God--and you can't explain to those who don't know Him. Peace in the midst of a raging storm is a profoundly wonderful thing! Knowing (because you cannot always feel it) with confidence that God Is being Immanuel (with us, GOD!) in our darkest times is a conundrum to the human mind. We will never be able to figure out (this side of Heaven) how God sustains us, gives us peace and rest, even while the world is turned upside down, for us. He holds us fast right in the eye of the storm. While the terror tries to overtake us, we find peace in the eye of the storm, because He Is with us.
So, even as enemies try to destroy your character, and you are assaulted on every side, by life's trials, God Is there making a path through the deepest valley, for us. We can be still, because He fights for us.
There is no need to fear the Absalom's and Saul's in our lives, for God will "make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
But know that the LORD God hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him." Psalm 4:2,3
As I read this Psalm this morning, the "mood" of the psalmist David, caught my attention. Knowing what David was experiencing --the rebellion of his own son, Absalom, being under attack by Shimei (along with his faithful servants), while fleeing the wrath of Absalom. 2nd Samuel 16:11 says it all: "Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him."
By this point in his life, even with all of his military might and power (as king), David must be feeling like drama and terror are a constant companion. In fact, he thinks that even God has turned His back against him--and sent Shimei to assault him. Every time things seem to be peaceful, trouble is not far behind. Ever feel that way--you know living in a state of "waiting for the other shoe--the deadly one, to drop"? Aside from the Shimei's in David's life, there are Saul and Absalom to contend with. Saul's "shoe" dropped squarely on the head of David, in spite of the fact that David loved him, and served him faithfully. And, now, this son of David, Absalom wins the hearts of the people in an attempt to steal the throne from his own father. Even worse, David's own counselor (Ahithophel) sides with Absalom, against him!
So, Absalom rebelled and is seeking to kill him, Shimei is trying to stone him (and his servants with him--that makes things even harder. Feeling like you are the cause of the pain of those you love), Saul once upon a time, came out against him--out of his own insecurity, insanity and pride, David had to flee from Jerusalem again thanks to Absalom's rebellion, and his counselor/adviser Ahithophel is seduced into serving Absalom, in his wickedness. That's A LOT to contend with in any one lifetime. I think I would need a few lifetime's to get through all of that! Certainly, David could say, "when it rains it pours!" Now, add David's sin to that mix, and it's a wonder he survived, much less became a man after God's own heart. At this time, I'm sure David felt as if God wasn't with him. See, you're not the only one--there's a great cloud of witnesses before you who experienced this. We are not alone in our suffering--in more ways than one. Clearly, God is ALWAYS present--even when we can't see through the fog of pain, death, injustice, loss and more, He Is there. What a blessed hope for this treacherous journey called life. And, we're in good company, suffering is inevitable in life. However, for the child of God, there is blessing in our suffering. Just ask Jesus, Joseph, and all of the others who suffered before us. It's not for naught. Victory is embedded in our suffering.
Believe it or not, David recognized the help of God, in his time of trouble. So, although many said, "there is no help for him in God, because his enemies were coming in droves, David was sustained by the LORD. When it would seem that he would toss and turn, he SLEPT, because God Is a Shield and Lifter of our heads. That's one of the most amazing things about walking with God--and you can't explain to those who don't know Him. Peace in the midst of a raging storm is a profoundly wonderful thing! Knowing (because you cannot always feel it) with confidence that God Is being Immanuel (with us, GOD!) in our darkest times is a conundrum to the human mind. We will never be able to figure out (this side of Heaven) how God sustains us, gives us peace and rest, even while the world is turned upside down, for us. He holds us fast right in the eye of the storm. While the terror tries to overtake us, we find peace in the eye of the storm, because He Is with us.
So, even as enemies try to destroy your character, and you are assaulted on every side, by life's trials, God Is there making a path through the deepest valley, for us. We can be still, because He fights for us.
There is no need to fear the Absalom's and Saul's in our lives, for God will "make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17,18
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