Pray:
Lord, when I am blessed and honored, let me give You glory. When I am rejected, let me use it to bless You.
Read:
2 Samuel 15:13-26
Reflect:
How do you react to mistreatment?
David leaves Jerusalem to avoid a major war involving huge casualties on both sides. He is paying the price for his sin with Bathsheba. Not only has it caused strife within his family, but it is now threatening his kingship. Things are going from bad to worse as the long-term effects of David's sin are beginning to make themselves horribly felt.
Yet, we see in these verses an unexpected level of care for people. Even at his most desperate, when he could do with all the support he can muster, David is prepared to release Ittai and his Gittite contingent from further obligations to him (19,20). What does this say about David's ability to react unselfishly under pressure?
David realizes if God is not supporting him, it is pointless having the Ark. It is no guarantee of God's blessing; the Israelites still lost battles with the Ark when God stopped supporting them (1 Sam. 4). So David returns it to Jerusalem (25). He is learning another lesson: only true submission to God will save him (25,26), not a symbol.
Apply:
Think about the toughest times of your life. How has God helped you to survive through them?
Pray:
Lord, You are my Rock and my safe hiding place. In every storm, You remain.
