David’s enemies were increasing, and he fled the city from his traitor son Absolom, who was seeking to take his fathers’ throne, there was a man named, Shimei, who began hurling rocks and insulting King David as he passed by.
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.
– 2 Samuel 16:11-12
Cursing the King was forbidden by law, so David had every right to cut off the man’s head — as his generals were encouraging him to do. Here we perceive the difference between Saul (man’s choice for a leader) and David (God’s choice for a leader,) in response to those who sought to do them harm.
A defining difference between a leader who tries to lead through a vertical dimension with God, versus a horizontal fix-it mode.
There is a difference between the leaders who lobbies the sway of men, and the leader who seeks to please God.
One thing separated David from such: He had a heart that sought to please God and be in His purpose. Unquestionably, if you a leader, you have your own Absolom’s and his seed, Shemei’s, attempting to destroy you and your character. (If everyone is in agreement with you, you must be concerned.)
I have been in this situation many times before and learnt, you have two choices; Seek revenge and solve the problem yourself? Or find the grace to allow God to carry out vengeance in His time?
When I learned this lesson to ‘stay-vertical-with-God;” I avoided the trap of fixing things in my own wisdom, and my focused prevailed over the distraction on my purpose, it was freedom for me!
We must examine our own heart in these matters and master overcoming relational storms if we are going to do any for God in this earth.
God uses storms of conflict in relationships at times to accomplish that deeper work in your character. Tozer once said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has ‘hurt’ him deeply.”
We cannot offer the other cheek, walk the extra mile, or love our enemies in our own strength; this is graduate-level grace. When God can accomplish a maturity of character.
Are you willing to enter this school? Are you willing to take the test?
If you pass, you can expect to be elevated to a new level in the Kingdom.
For He brings us through these tests as preparation for greater use in the Kingdom. You must pass the test first!
Beloved, never avenge yourselves for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” -Romans 12:19.
