When the Going Gets Tough

Life can be pretty rough sometimes with all the trials that come our way, whether it be losing a loved one or simply failing a test that you have studied hours for.  But being real, my life was probably not as challenging as the lives of the other individuals that I come across with on a daily basis.  I personally don't know what it's like to have your parents go through divorce, or lose a loved one to cancer, or even lose a pet (cause my parents don't vibe with anything that is alive in our house which is not a human.)  Now don't get me wrong, my life isn't always rainbows and butterflies for me, but I understand that I can't relate with every trial you are going through.  However, the question still remains, what do I do in moments when life hits me and I don't understand why God is allowing it to happen?  Well folks, check out the devotional below to find out.  

David and Absalom

Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 
2 Samuel 15:13

If you look at 2 Samuel 15 & 16, it tells the story of David and his son Absalom.  In a nutshell, Absalom killed his brother then ran away.  After that he decided to come back home and David forgave him and welcomed him home with open arms.  However even after his own father welcomed him home, Absalom decided to deceive many of the people of Israel to eventually revolt against King David.  So as you can see in the verse above Absalom succeeded and shortly after, David and his men were fleeing for their lives.

I have a question for you.  How do you think David's day was?  Pretty bad right.  But it gets worse!  David then runs into a man by the name of Shimei as seen in 2 Samuel 16:5-14.  Shimei ends up cursing at David and even throwing rocks at him.  Imagine a random individual throwing rocks at the king of Israel......mercy.  But how David reacts is priceless.

And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction,[a] and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 2 Samuel 16:11-12

David keeps his composure and puts his trust in God.  But this is what really blew my mind.  Check out what Auntie Ellen writes about this scenario in David's life.  

And the Lord did not forsake David. This chapter in his experience, when, under cruelest wrong and insult, he shows himself to be humble, unselfish, generous, and submissive, is one of the noblest in his whole experience. Never was the ruler of Israel more truly great in the sight of heaven than at this hour of his deepest outward humiliation. -Patriarchs and Prophets

This was the greatest moment in the life of David!  How is it that David who has slain goliath and lead out armies is said to be greatest when he was kicked out of his own kingdom and getting rocks thrown that at him?  It's because he is faithful when all of this is happening.  So get this, there are going to be moments when life will get really hard to the point where you don't know what's going on, but if you stay faithful in that moment, that may be the greatest moment you have ever lived under the eyes of heaven!  

“Sometimes it is in moments when you are lowest but faithful, that you are actually highest in the site of God. ”