APRIL 26, 2017

“Do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart; do not let compliments go to your head and criticisms to your heart; do not let success go to your head and failure to your heart.” 
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

2 SAMUEL 15-16

11David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

13So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.(16:11-14)

LUKE 20:27-47

45While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

JOURNAL 

David is run out of the Kingdom by his son Absalom and is then discraced by Shimei...what a terrible awful scene. David the great King in total humility and defeat by his own son. And he takes it, not out of weakness but in surrender to God. God will bring David back to power but this scene is a reminder that in the course of life that we live, none of us are immune to embarrassment, failure, betrayal and extremely humbling circumstances. 

Jesus likewise warns the disciples that those who think too highly of themselves will be humbled...they will have their day. It is a reminder to cling close to God and his direction and his love. Never mistake power and position as a right to step on others or as affirmation of a right to arrogance and pride.

1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4