So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt (2 Samuel 16:13).
Our Father in heaven, praise be to You Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Many are the times we've had to say, "If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away" (Psalm 124:2-6, 8).
Father, Your word shows us the destructive power of anger, hostility, hatred, and animosity in human relationships. You know, Lord, that these are some of the fiercest battles we face. You made us, and You know the toll on our psyche when we are faced with engulfing floods of malice, sweeping torrents of slander, raging waters of anger.
We see this in the life of David, at a time when he was exposed and vulnerable, reeling from the grief and shock of betrayal by his own son who was trying to overthrow his rule as king. It was at this low point, that Shimei, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family, chose to demonstrate contempt, scorn, disrespect, and vindictiveness towards David:
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 (2 Samuel 16:5-6).
Even though we don't know exactly when David wrote Psalm 62, the words capture so well what he must have felt during that dreadful period of his life, How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence (Psalm 62:3)? Yet, ultimately, Lord, his response was to entrust his vindication to You (2 Samuel 16:9-12).
O Father, You show us this example of David's faith, knowing that we too, may encounter a Shimei or two at low points on the long road. You know that those may show up who "pile on" when we are weak and vulnerable, pelting us with stones, and showering us with dirt as we continue along the road (2 Samuel 6:13).
Thank You for showing us, O Lord, that when we are weak You are strong. That when we feel like leaning walls and tottering fences, You are our support.
Deliver us from the temptation to seek our own revenge. Remind us of the promise You gave to Your people of old, "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).
Help us to commit our vindication to You, trusting You at all times and pouring out our hearts to You like David, Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge (Psalm 62:5-7).
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