Skip to main content

Slander


2Sam:16:5-14
2Sam:19:18-23

David continues to amaze me. The characters of a godly king are spewing out from him. It was Mephibosheth whom he showed kindness earlier. Today it is Shimei - a step further.
Shimei is found cursing the king and throwing stones at him. Others are angry so much so that they want to kill him. But David's comment filled my heart with tears - If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?
Will I be ever like that. And Shimei kept on doing the same thing as David and his men went on along the road. But David kept quiet.
Later when David comes back to Jerusalem after the death of Absalom, Shimei comes running to David seeking forgiveness. David not only keeps quiet as in previous time, but extends his hand of forgiveness saying, your life will be spared.

Oh! What a man? Truly reflecting Godly character. Jesus also kept quiet when He was accused falsely. And He went a step further. While on the cross while He was being persecuted, while He was crying out in pain, in dehydration, acute blood loss, loneliness and heavy with the weight of the sin of the entire world, He prays aloud for YOU and ME. Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Overflowing with love and compassion and forgiveness, interceding for the very ones who tortures Him.
He was living out the very words He Himself spoke.
You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbour' and hate your enemy. But I say love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. Matt:5:43-45.

How about you? If someone talks ill about you, how do you respond? Someone on the road, shouts at you for his mistake while driving. Someone at work, puts the blame on you, to cover up his wrong. Your neighbour keeps slandering you for reasons unknown. How would you respond? Retort back? Reply and make strong your statement? Shout back? Anger? Assertive? Or would you keep quiet? And bless him? Forgive him? Intercede for him? Seek forgiveness for his sake?
This is how we know we reflect Christ, when we do things which He did, in our circle of life.
May the Lord help us.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forgiveness is the first step

Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. Acts:14:21. In Lystra, they were stoned and dragged out of the city. To Lystra they come back to strengthen and encourage.  What a commitment?  What love to the people of Lystra? What surity of their calling? They both go back to the very place that tortured them. To the very place they suffered. We would never go back to the very place! Scared? Hatred? Indignation? What if God asks you to go back? Would you give excuses?  Would you still love the person, who stood against you? Would you hate or love him/her? If you understand the truth that, calling is unto a person not to a place, nor unto people, then it becomes easy to forgive. Forgiveness is something which needs grace, much grace. If God could forgive me yet again, how much should I? For Jesus taught us to pray - Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.  Image credit: https://coriechu.com/blog/forgiveness-and-healing
Post a Comment
Read more

Rom:1:8

Yesterday, after the India vs Australia ICC WWC semifinal, these words hung in the air after the player of the match Jemimah Rodrigues was given the stage. Your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Rom:1:8 A church which was not even started by Paul. Paul wouldn't probably have known these people personally.  But he commends their faith. You want to be a silent Christian because you are not a bold Christian. Do your colleagues know that you are a Christian? Not by name. Is there a difference between you and the nominal Christian? Between you and the carnal Christian? Do you freely proclaim that the author and finisher of your faith is Jesus?  Image credit: https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/womens-world-cup-2025-cried-every-single-day-went-through-anxiety-jemimah-rodrigues-opens-up-after-historic-knock-against-australia/?amp=1
2 comments
Read more

Accomplished. Satisfied.

After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried. Acts:13:36. David was given a job to do. And He did well. You are dearly loved by God and He has a wonderful plan for you. When your name is called, will you stand before the righteous Judge and hear the testimony, that really matters, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  What is your long term and short term desire? Your short term plans need to be based on your long term desire. Not materialistic or career based. Regarding the Kingdom of God, what has been your timeline? How do you plan further? Which subspeciality is your focus? Teaching, apologetic, discipling, counselling, teens, adults, children, organisation, devotions, families? Have you sat and thought about it? What is your mission and vision? Each step you take is it in line with this?  Accomplished is a very satisfying word. Not for selfish motifs. What have you accomplished for your King? For your Father? Image cre...
Post a Comment
Read more

Calm

Those who beat him and dragged him out of the city, how does Paul address them? Acts:22:1. Brothers and esteemed fathers.... He calmly addresses them, who hates him, who want him killed. No defending. Not justifying. Not perturbed. Just calmness, overflowing love. How could he do that? He knows how much Jesus loves him who persecuted His children, that same love He has for these people, that same love He also ought to have. Paul is not selfish to protect himself. He is ready to die now in this city as prophesied by Agabus. But he is passionate of his Saviour. He is passionate to tell these people how to be saved. Lord, give me this attitude of love to those who hate me. Give me this calmness. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/search/calm%20sea/
1 comment
Read more

Be encouraged and be an encouragement

Acts 27:22 None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. The confidence Paul has in his God. The intimacy. The surity of His revelation. Not just about him. Also about his fellow crew. The ship. Their destiny. How can I know God like this? How can I be sure of His hand in my life and those in connection with me? The confidence is directly proportional to the time I spend with Him. Idling away in phone when you get a moment out, hanging out with your best buddies? Or when I get a moment, do I rush to the Word?  Nabeel Quereshi, a Muslim who later got converted to Christ, got his first exposure to real Christianity, when he saw his closest friend David Wood, reading the Bible in his free time. He was shocked and amazed seeing this. A devout Islam (then) was awestruck and challenged by this discipline. What do I do with little time I get in between work?  What do my innocent children see me do when I want to relax? What standards I have kept in ...
1 comment
Read more

Time is running out

Acts 24 Felix the governor. Had a Jewish wife named Drusilla. Quiet familiar with the Way. Sent for Paul. Listened as Paul told about the faith in Christ Jesus. Paul reasoned with him. He should have reasoned back too. Felix becomes frightened. Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will call you again. Hoped that Paul would bribe him. Sent for him quiet often. Talked with him. Succeeded by Portius Festus. So close yet, not sure. So many opportunities squandered. When he was the governor, he got enough exposure to the Way. Then at one point when he is stripped of his privileges, no one knows about his destiny. Now you have enough opportunities and freedom to know the person of Jesus. If you do not make use of it now, no one can be sure of the future. Be aware. 2 Cor:6:2. Now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation.  Eph:5:16. Making most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Life is brief. Opportunities will become rare. Now when it i...
Post a Comment
Read more

No time to rest

Acts 28 As Paul arrives in Rome, where he is expected to be trialled and executed, he doesn't waste time. He calls to the local leaders and discussed with them about the Good News. No time to rest. Lord give me such a passion to take every opportunity to share about you. Give me such love for you. Give me such love for others who are perishing in their own sin. Why is my heart not aching seeing this? Help me to do things tirelessly for you. Make every opportunity to teach the Word, to your children. To people around you. Tell them about the standards of this holy God. Tell them about the endless love of the Father, the impeccable obedience of the Son and never ending presence of the Spirit. The goodness of the Triune God. The uniqueness of this Almighty. An everpresent help in trouble. You cannot sit idly. Lord fill me with your passion, an unending desire to share about you always. Image courtesy: https://medium.com/personal-growth/this-is-what-hard-work-is-and-why-it-...
5 comments
Read more