TRUST IN GOD'S LEADING

Today’s passage in 2 Samuel demonstrates some challenging responses from David during the time that his son, Absalom, was conspiring to usurp his kingship. In 15:25-26, when David was fleeing Jerusalem, when Zadok and the Levites were going to bring the ark of God, David said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation. But if He should say thus, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” Then in 16:11-12, as they came to Bahurim, Shimei came out throwing stones and cursing David. Abishai asked if he could cut off Shimei’s head. “Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, ‘Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him. Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.’ In these situations, David demonstrated his trust in God’s sovereignty, and in His ability to work through the current challenging events to accomplish His will.

Here are several other verses along these same lines.

Prov. 3:5-5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Psa. 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.”

Prov. 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”

In 2 Ch 20:12 when Jehoshaphat was faced with a huge army from Aram, he led the Israelites in prayer, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

One of many passages assuring us of God’s everlasting love is Rom 8:35, 38-39, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” With these promises of God’s love, and His infinite power, as we face disappointments, uncertainties, and challenges in our lives, we also need to look to God and trust Him to work out His will in our lives.

Father, You are sovereign. With unlimited power clearly demonstrated in the awesome creation You made, help me to trust You in good as well as challenging situations, and allow You to work out details in my life that will bring You glory and honor. Amen. (verses from NASV)