When Words Hurt
Absalom's rebellion -- began as all rebellion begins— with gossip and talk. It starts innocently enough, and then it spreads. Absalom was talking about his dad's incompetence and how that he could judge the people better. He even insinuated that his dad was becoming senile.
David began to hear tidbits of this gossip - as one always does. Much like a maligning political campaign, critical statements were leaked purposely back to David. It was while all this talk was going around that he wrote the Psalm 62.
No doubt you too - as I have - felt the sharp knife and the piercing daggers of gossip or talk and found ourselves unable to control or answer these verbal attacks. How are we to defend ourselves?
Many times in my personal and professional life, I have felt the hurt and pain of untrue statements and unjust criticism. I use to spend a lot of time trying to trace it down, defend myself and explain my side, but that often just made it worse and widen my hurt.
I found that it wiser to do my best to be sincere, to love God and serve Him with all the heart, mind, body and soul and let Him take care of my vindication.
It is always difficult when such verbal attacks are leveled against us. It Is more difficult when they come from those we love. It is even more difficult when they come from our closest friends, and it seems unbearable when they come from those who are flesh of our flesh, blood of our blood and bone of our bone. Imagine David's heartbreak as the first echoes of his son's criticism and gossip leaked his way.
David's focus (and mine should be) - if God saves me, I then, can completely release everything else to His disposal, knowing He is my rock, my only salvation. As faith in God advances to an unshaken stedfastness, so does joy in God improve - to a holy triumph. Trusting in God and waiting quietly before Him are truly a blessed means of strengthening faith and hope.
Created 8 months ago
