Lessons In Hard Times

Crisis forced David to recognize his true friends. The man had wrongly assumed that all people loved him until his own son deposed him and his associates followed suit. While David escaped from his son Absalom, a notable man called Shimei summoned the courage to show his true color. He cursed David to his face, and also cast dust and stone at him to customarily express his dissatisfaction to his government. The scripture reported,

“Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!” (2 Samuel 16:5-8).

Although Shimei later apologized, but the lesson was already learned! (2 Samuel 19:18-20).

Lesson:

Life is all about learning, and children of God should attempt to learn from every situation that they experience. God does not afflict anyone, but he sometimes allows his children to pass through difficult situations so that they can learn some necessary lessons which they would prefer to avoid. God teaches lessons in afflictions, and he uses uncomfortable situations to stiffen our loose ends. Therefore, we Christians should attempt to learn from every situation that comes our way. We should learn how to interpret God’s voice through affliction, and we should learn how to listen and yield! Depending on situations, we may not necessarily need to seek a quick solution until we have learned enough lessons. No doubt that God will turn our afflictions into triumph after we have learned enough lessons. The Creator will surely help us to overcome every crisis that we confront, and he will utilize every moment of affliction to build our character and confidence; he would transform us into sharp instruments that are fit for his glory.

Prayer:

Dear God, please teach me every lesson that I need to learn. Help me to adequately respond to training, and utilize every challenge that I face to build my character and confidence so that I can become fit for your honor. Turn whatever situation the enemy has meant for evil into my goodness. Train and fine-tune your grace in my life so that I can become prosperous in this life, and for your kingdom also. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.