A Student of Hardship

And David said,”As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish.
– 1 Samuel 26:10

And David said to Abigail,”Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!
– 1 Samuel 25:32,33

ESV notes:
“God has given your enemy into your hand.” Abishai uses the same arguments as David’s men in (24:4), and David again refuses, adding that God will surely strike Saul instead, a lesson he perhaps learned from the death of Nabal (25:39)

When those who walk in righteousness are wronged or insulted, instead of taking matters into their own hands, they may trust in the justice of God.

I am personally impressed with the teachable nature of David. Through suffering and hardship much can be learned, both of life and oneself. David makes himself a student of hardship, learning well the strength and vengeance of God. It is here where the written psalm rings true, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

May my soul cling to you Lord…and no one else. May I embrace your promises, yet not trust in their ability to deliver your servant…for you O Lord are my deliverance. I trust in your justice, your goodness Lord; your beauty I long to see.
Amen

Enduring brokenness

For He says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:
By great endurance
In afflictions
Hardships
Calamities
Beatings
Imprisonments
Riots
Labors
Sleepless nights
Hunger;

By purity
Knowledge
Patience
Kindness
The Holy Spirit
Genuine love;

By truthful speech
And the power of God;

With the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

Through honor and dishonor
Through slander and praise.

We are treated like imposters
And yet are true;

As unknown
And yet well known

As dying
And behold
We live;

As punished
And yet not killed;

As sorrowful
Yet always rejoicing;

As poor
Yet making many rich;

As having nothing
Yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak to you as children) widen your hearts also.
– 2 Corinthians 6:2-13

These able to endure all understood these things:
God listens
He gives favor
His is salvation
He is a God who helps in time of need.
Because of knowing this at their core, they see themselves as equipped by God to handle all circumstances. But these trials come for a greater purpose; for the heart of the afflicted becomes open to pour out loving kindness and compassion upon others.

It is for the unnamed others that I suffer what I do. Though sleepless nights plague me, hardships, hunger, poverty…it is for the hope that my heart may become broken before God and man. That love would be birthed from pain and suffering.

Lord help, give me endurance to face these hardships. I feel like caving in, like giving up. I do not know what to do…except to turn to you. I am weary, tired, alone. Help me to place my trust in you. Grow love from these broken places.
I do ask for companionship Lord, I am terribly lonely. I ask that you would bring a good thing into my life. Someone to understand and seek to understand who I am. Prepare my heart for such a person.
In the meanwhile, grow our love between you and me…that you would be my God, and I would be all yours.
Amen

Storm-tossed: the paths of the righteous

O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.
All your children will be taught by The Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me, whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
– Isaiah 54:11-15

The precious gems referenced in this verse are obviously not a physical promise, these things speak to the heart and spirit of a people set firm in the righteousness of God. Right-living, no matter how turmoil-filled and lonely, it is not a foolish way of living. In the end the Love of God rescues His righteous people, and establishes a heritage of peace to a new generation.

Though I face hardship, longing for comfort, even for one to listen…I know my God cares. For what reason do I live this way? Why do I choose to live upright, avoiding the morally acceptable? Right now in the moment there is no apparent benefit…sure, it is “honorable” to live this way…but for what reason do I have? Perhaps for two small reasons:
1) I love God, and I want to know Him…the righteous get to know and see God, I am convinced of this.
2) This way of living sets up my descendants to do the same…they get to live in a greater reality through Christ because of choices made today.

Lord I pray for my sons and daughters…bless them, make them a blessing. Cause my footing to be steadfast on the path you have set before me, that I may pioneer a trail for the benefit of others. I would really like a companion to talk with and mutually know…would you build my trust in your provision.
Amen