The Daily Word: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021
2 Samuel 19:11-20:13
John 21:1-25
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 16:16-17
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then he said to the king, “Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart. For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.” – 2 Sam. 19:19-20
Shimei messed up. As David was being forced out of Jerusalem, Shimei cursed him. He “threw stones at David and at all [his servants]” (2 Sam. 16:6)! He “kicked up dust” on all the men in David’s army (v 13). So when David was restored as king, Shimei had a big problem. He had just absolutely insulted David! And he knew David would deal with him. So would Shimei run? Or would he confront his fears?
Shimei came straight to David. He fell on his knees, and admitted he was wrong. He apologized profusely, and he owned his mistake. He didn’t downplay his error or pretend it wasn’t a big deal. He nipped it in the bud and took it on the chin, fully willing to accept the consequences of his actions. And David forgave him.
David knew how to forgive because David wasn’t perfect himself. Do you remember Urijah the Hittite? David killed him and stole his wife! And when God confronted David, he owned it (2 Sam. 12:13). David saw himself in Shimei, because he knew what it felt like to need forgiveness.
When you run from your mistakes, you will never find closure. You will always struggle with self-doubt and insecurity, wondering what other people think about you. Your future will feel unsure, because you always have to wonder if your mistakes from the past will creep into your present! But when you own your mistakes, the mercy of God will flood your life.
So, what have you done wrong? Own it. Admit it! Confess your faults to God, and know that you are forgiven as soon as you ask for forgiveness. Then admit your mistakes to the people you have offended, and trust that God will show His mercy through them.
“Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.” – Isa. 43:26
Prayer:
Lord, I am far from perfect! But I know how to own my mistakes. Thank You for teaching me how to admit my faults! Thank You for encouraging me to admit where I have come up short. Thank You most of all that You repay me according to Your mercy, and not according to what I deserve, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.