distress | considering the word

“When Ahithophel saw that Absalom and the leaders of Israel were not going to follow his advice, he saddled his donkey and rode back to his home in Gilo. He told his family and servants what to do. Then he hanged himself.” 2 Sam. 17:23

Let’s go back to chapter 16 vs. 23: “Ahithophel gave such good advice in those days that both Absalom and David thought it came straight from God.”

I know I started this off with a shocker of a verse this morning, but it’s reality. Let’s face it, Ahithophel had fallen far.

At one time his advice was revered by both King David, a man after God’s own heart, and his son, Absalom, who was now trying to be king. They literally regarded his advice as though he was one who had been in a consultation with God. And later, no one wanted to follow his advice.

It didn’t just hurt his feelings a little or make him feel a bit disgraced. It caused him to go commit suicide.

It may sound shocking to you, but it shouldn’t. When we get our sense of self-worth from people, this can easily happen. If our identity is tied up in those around us, and they don’t approve of us, then, just like Ahithophel, we may feel like that is our only answer.

When we are regarded by men as the best or regarded by men as not much, we need to keep our eyes on the Maker of heaven and earth. He is the One who is our Strength. He fights for us, gives us wisdom, lets us run to Him for refuge, and comforts us in times of need.

Our identity comes from the One who created us, wonderfully, and willingly gave His Son to die for us so that we could have eternal life. God made us in His image, and calls us His own. He created us with a purpose. We are loved so much that Jesus chose to die for us–we were worth dying for.

No matter what happens or what they say…stand on what God says, and run to Him when you need a word of encouragement. He is always faithful, and He can be trusted.

Choose to stay, with Him,

jamie

Pr. 16:3: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

King David knew betrayal and fear in his lifetime. What had David done to Saul? Nothing. It was Saul’s own sin and distress that caused him to make poor decisions. David had nothing to do with those things. Yet, Saul tried to kill David on more than one occasion.

In Psalm 11, we get a glimpse of David wondering about his trust in the Lord. He says, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” With God as his foundation, David wondered what he could do if that trust was destroyed?

This is a temptation that comes upon us all. There are times of pain, sadness, doubt, sickness, sorrow, or confusion when we wonder at God’s plans. We know that His thoughts are not the same as ours. We know His ways are not our own. We understand that He holds the world in His hands and that He is sovereign. Yet, there are times when we are tempted to lose our trust in Him.

David, continues; however, stating what He knows to be true about the Lord. (vs. 4-7) He reminds Himself why His trust has been placed in the Lord, and why that trust is not misplaced.

We can see this Proverb proven in this time of David’s temptation and reassurance. He had committed his ways to the Lord since childhood. He had trusted in the Lord’s might enough to face and kill Goliath. He knew what God could do and was willing to do. He knew the things that displease God.

Even though David was tempted with doubt and despair, his thoughts were established. His commitment to the Lord, his knowledge of the Lord, and his trust in the Lord created a firm foundation on which he could placed his trust.

It is our commitment to the Lord and our knowledge of Him that allows us to have that same foundation. When times of doubt sneak upon us, we need to know the One in whom we are trusting. If we know Him, our thoughts will be established, and on our solid foundation, He will pull us up straight and strengthen us by our trust in Him.

Continue getting to really know Him. He is our foundation!

Steadying myself in Him,

jamie