But the king [David] said… “If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” … So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him. The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there.
2 Samuel 16:10, 13-14
How would you feel if you had a child who interpreted every bad event as if it came from you? Imagine King David traveling on one side of a road with his entourage and mighty men of valor, with Shimei on the other side cursing and throwing stones at him. What person in authority would allow such a thing when they had willing warriors who wanted to stop it from happening? When David was asked why he allowed this, he responded by asserting that it was “God’s will.” Leaders who won’t forgive themselves short circuit God’s ability to lead through them.
Stop blaming God and get over it. Christians are quick to assign motive to bad events suggesting that it is “payback” by God, or they “deserve” bad things happening to them because of something they did in the past. God had forgiven David for his sin with Bathsheba, yet his conscience was so stained that he had not been able to forgive himself. Just because your conscience condemns you doesn’t mean God condemns you. David’s self-image (internal thought life about himself) was so polluted by his sin that he allowed people to publicly curse him and throw stones at him, assuming it was God’s will. God has already forgiven your past, present, and future sins, whether you feel it or not. His message is simple: “Let it go. I’ve forgiven you; forgive yourself.” It is not uncommon for people who have failed in business, morally or spiritually, to feel rejected or despondent. If you know someone who has been through this, ask yourself, “what would Jesus do” to help them, then go and do likewise.
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- Why is it hard for people to forgive and forget?
- Why do you suppose it is so hard to forgive oneself even though God has forgiven us?
- Whom do you know that needs to be reminded today that God loves them and has forgiven EVERYTHING?
The stain of sin on a conscience is what will sabotage your self-image; keep your conscience clean by keeping short accounts with God.
