"It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." 2 Samuel 16:12
David understood what it was to be distressed. In order to avoid a bloody confrontation with his son Absalom, who was determined to seize the throne, he left Jerusalem in a hurry.
As if this wasn't enough, along the way David encountered Shimei, a member of King Saul's tribe. One can only imagine the things he said. The words Shimei used were probably sharper than the stones he threw.
Yet David received them without anger. He accepted all of this as part of God's plan. How could he reject what God had allowed? David trusted that God could repay him with good if He chose to do so. It seems David learned the hard lessons of seeking personal gain and control.
Lord, I feel distressed this morning. The enemy has been hurling harsh words of self-doubt at me since before the day began. He keeps telling me I am too small to accomplish anything. He keeps saying that I don't deserve to be noticed - that I should accept a life of invisibility, and anything I do will only leave me embarrassed and ashamed.
Why does he want to discourage me? What is it that You have planned?
Help me to accept the curses of the enemy - not as truth about my future, but as a reminder of what life is like without You. Am I too small to accomplish anything? You bet! Will I find myself embarrassed and ashamed because of the things I say and do? Probably so. But with You, no word will fall to the ground. No deed will go unnoticed.
May Your will be done. And if I am privileged to play a part in it, I thank You. What a blessing it is to be near You, Almighty God.