[Shimei] threw stones at David and his officers, but the
people and soldiers gathered all around David (NCV, 2 Samuel 16:6).
As leaders, it’s a fact of life that people will throw
stones at us. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who love us, and who
are willing to put themselves between us and our detractors. It is not
self-serving for a leader to teach those around him their responsibility in
this matter. It is not dictatorial or cultish to engrain this kind of loyalty
and sacrifice into the hearts and minds of followers. Leaders in training will
be blessed by following the example of David’s soldiers. After all, one day
someone may be throwing rocks at them.
There’s another lesson here. David doesn’t just dismiss out
of hand Shimei’s curses. If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to,
who can question him? (NCV, v. 10). David understood the necessity of
spreading out before the Lord accusations made against him. David knew that –
only after honest examination – if there was nothing there, that would be the
time to dismiss those curses. The king was humble and teachable. If there was a
foundation of truth in Shimei’s curse, or if God was trying to speak to him, he
was prepared to receive from the Lord his message of correction.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Thank God for those people
in your life who care enough about you to shield you from attack. And for those
who care enough to lovingly confront you.
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