Don't Blame God for Your Misfortunes

"And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. 12It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. 13And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there." (2 Samuel 16: 11-14)

David was a great poet, shepherd, fighter, leader, king ...

But he was a bad father. He did nothing when one of his sons raped his daughter Tamar.

Another son, Absalom, took matters into his own hands.

Instead of dealing with both sons, David did nothing.

The same thing happened with a third son, Adonijah:

"And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom." (1 Kings 1: 6)

Probably out of guilt or a sense of inadequacy, David did not discipline his children.

Proverbs teaches otherwise:

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

David was not imparting grace and truth to his children.

Later, Absalom would "steal the hearts" (2 Samuel 15:6) of the people of Israel, so that he could lead a stunning rebellion against his own father.

This post, however, does not dwell on David's bad parenting.

Let us rather displace the lie that somehow the LORD was intent on punishing David.

God is not in the killing business. He does not anyone to perish, but rather be set free from sin and death:

"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" (Ezekiel 18: 23)

Because of Jesus, God is not in the cursing business:

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" (Galatians 3: 13)

Looking back at David's dilemma--he had to flee from Jerusalem briefly, but he met support and sustenance from many.

Yes, Shimei of the tribe of Benjamin threw stones and dirt at David ....

But all of these terrible happenings were NOT Gods' fault!

Yet notice how God still blessed David and enabled him to retake the throne which God had already given him!

Final Reflection

In the face of misfortunes, never think that God is suddenly against you. David kept the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, a picture of Jesus as our propitiation for our sins (1 John 2: 1-2).

Let us rest in the truth that He is for us, not against us (Romans 8: 31). Where even under the Old Covenant of bulls and goats, David was restored to his throne despite his own failures.

Today, under the perfect blood of Jesus--and we are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 4-6)--we need never wonder if He is on our side. If there are misfortunes, they may result from our own poor decisions, but let us not blame God.

He is for us!