Day 119/365- 2 Samuel 16:10-12

"The God Who Fights Our Battles"

"No!" the king said. "Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?"
Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today." (2 Samuel 16:10-12 NLT)

David has a pattern in his life of leaving things in God's hands. He has a trust that is rare. God has always come through for him in the past. Maybe that is what gives him such confidence here?

A man is cursing him. God's anointed, the king is being cursed & those with David encourage him to stop it. David doesn't take up for himself. He doesn't defend himself. He doesn't take matters into his own hands. He simply leaves it to God. He says that if God wants him to be cursed he will be cursed but if God wants him to be blessed this man will never be able to curse him. He even says maybe God has told this man to curse him, who is he to get in the way of God?

It may be wishful thinking but this is how I want to live. I want the Lord to fight my battles for me. How much of my flesh wants to defend itself at all turns? This manifests itself in my life in such silly ways. The other day I requested prayer on social media. Instead I got a little bit of a critique from a friend. Instead of moving on, not giving it any thought (because it wasn't a big deal at all, in fact, it was even a good thought provoking post), I reacted. I posted some short, fiery comments back. This is just one example & there are plenty more with varying degrees of seriousness.

My flesh lives for self-preservation. I will do anything for me. I will defend myself so passionately over even the most insignificant stuff.

This has to change. I need to get to the point where it's hard to be offended. We need more people who are willing to leave things in the hands of God. We need more people who choose NOT to get offended. It seems this day & age everyone is just waiting to get hacked off.

God help me to grow up & stop defending myself against even the most hurtful claims & rely on your to be my defender & fight my battles.