Photo Credit: Artem Kovalev
When new intelligence comes to you, what do you do? Do you react blindly, take matters into your hands, or blow up the bridge and walk away in slow motion like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando? This year things are going to happen, bad things too like backstabbing, evil counsel, treachery, and wicked maneuverings. Now, when word gets to you, whatcha gonna do? Tell you what, you l-e-a-r-n from the masters! Like David in the Bible. And what beautiful lessons to learn! When David heard Ahithophel, a man in his trusted council, had taken sides with a traitor, did he rain curses on him? Did he suddenly mount a horse in rage and race back to Jerusalem with ten thousand armed men? Well, that’s not how the story went. In his lowest moments, King David may have been most vulnerable but he didn’t fall victim to his vulnerability. He didn’t give in to weakness. When he heard Ahithophel was aiding his enemy to overtake him and kill him, he cried out to God and said a simple prayer. No rattling of bitter curses. No cruel lash out made. Just a simple prayer. When he heard Absalom his son, had taken over the palace and slept with David’s concubines in an open show for all Israel to see, he wept. And when the time came and victory was on David's side, he begged for the boy Absalom to be spared. How about Joseph? The slave boy in Egypt who became Prince of Egypt. When his brothers - who sold him into slavery - showed up in Egypt, Joseph wept. He wept because the urge to take vengeance was greater than the urge to forgive. He succumbed to the latter. The list goes on. The masters of wisdom in treacherous times are many. Ours is to learn and remember to live what has been taught. Life is a mix of the good and the bad. Good tidings as well as some unpleasant ones. When that time comes, like King David, you will be at your lowest and weakest. Still, that shouldn’t be an excuse to blow up the bridge. Instead cry out to God like David. Say a simple prayer. Don’t take matters into your hands. Proverbs 22:12
The LORD's eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous. - HCSB
The LORD watches over anyone with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful. - ISV
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