Long Journey Big Rewards

Greetings in the Lord!

Today's word comes from 2 Samuel 16:1-14 and Isaiah 14:1-2~
"As 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...."Get out, get out, you man of blood, 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 handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!" 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 (David) said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'"

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much nore, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." 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. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself."

"The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the Lord's land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors."

~See how David, the king, is cursed and humilitated and has to endure scorn. It's human nature to want to fight back and exchange angry words like David's loyal men wanted to do...but David's heart said, "No. God was allowing the assault, and He will likewise restore my reputation and position if He so desires." That is confirmed in the Isaiah passage; God will restore us and cause usto rise above our oppressors--we will possess the land.

Have you been in this type of situation? You know you are right where the Lord wants you to be and yet, you must endure scorn and wrongful judgements from others who have a totally different perspective. And how hard it is sometimes for people to see the truth when loyalties to people are involved--afterall, Shimei was related to Saul! Nevertheless, the Lord had chosen David to be king and it simply was tough luck for all those who were loyal to Saul...being fair and right and true are all a matter of perspective--the Lord's perspective! The word today is to encourage you to stand firm to what the Lord has placed in you, to what He has called you to, and what He destines for you. You may arrive at your destination exhausted from the scorn and words of others, but you will have your loyal supporters around you, you will still be king, and the Lord will give you refreshment.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.

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