“Let Him Alone,
And Let Him Curse”
When
King David came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out
whose name was Shimei son of
Then
Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my
lord the King? Let me go over and take off his head.” But the king said, “What
have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD
has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why
have you done so?’” David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son
seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Let him alone, and let
him curse; for the LORD has bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on my
distress, and the LORD will repay me with good for this cursing of me today.”
2 Samuel 16:5-12
As
the years go by, we grow – as David did – in the awareness of God’s protective
love. We become less concerned with what others say about us and more willing
to give ourselves over to our Father. We learn humble
submission to God’s will.
We
may ask our opponents to justify their charges, or we may meet them with
steadfast denial if they charge us falsely. But when we have done all we can
do, the only thing left is to wait patiently until God vindicates us. In the
meantime, it is good to look beyond the words of those who vilify us to the will
of the One who loves us with infinite love. We need to say that whatever God
permits is for His ultimate good in us or in others – even though our hearts
break and we shed bitter tears.
You are in God’s hands, no matter what others say about
you.
He sees your distress, and in time will repay you with
good.
Trust Him and abide in His love.
It takes a storm
to
show us the real shelter
is
in God.
Our Daily Bread –