REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on May 17, 2015.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Humility”

2 Samuel 16:1-14

When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. [2] And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.” [3] And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’” [4] Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”  [5] When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. [6] And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. [7] And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! [8] The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”[9] Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” [10] But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” [11] And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. [12] It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” [13] So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. [14] And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.

In February 2015, the world lost a great coach and man when legendary University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith passed away.  He coached many future legends—one of them being the great Michael Jordan.  As the media, players and colleagues were commemorating his life, one common attribute that was said about Coach Smith was his humility.  It was said that he never talked about his victories, but rather, he always talked about the joy of his players achieving great success.  He was known to be someone who did not want to be in the spotlight, but emphasized team first.  It was this humility that others cherished.

In this chapter, David is met with opposition, and his response is marked with great humility.  David is still running away from Absalom and encounters someone else from the house of Saul— Shimei, a man who continually curses him. As they are passing along, Shimei throws rocks at David and his entourage, calling David a man of blood and worthless. He accuses David of bloodguilt concerning the house of Saul, which was false. Abishai suggests that if someone were to cut off Shimei’s head, he would stop from talking so much (v. 9), but David rebukes Abishai, saying that the Lord is behind it.  Even though Shimei’s accusations and curses were not based on truth, David is totally surrendered in how he thinks he should be treated, trusting that whatever God chooses to do, he is willing to take it. David is not wrapped up in his own ego nor is he defending himself in any way.  So we see David’s humility even in the midst of false accusations and adversity.

How do we respond to criticisms or false accusations?  Do we respond with humility and even love for our enemies?  In these moments, I, personally, find myself being defensive and wanting to justify myself.  As we meditate on this passage, pray to the Lord for greater humility in our lives. 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Prayer: Lord, I want to imitate you in Your humility.  By your Spirit, may there be less of me and more of you in my daily life, especially in my interactions with others.  Amen

Bible Reading for Today:  Acts 18