Day 14 - Stay Vertical

As David’s enemies were increasing and he was fleeing the city from his son, who was seeking to take his throne, a man named Shimei began heaving rocks and cursing him as he passed by. Cursing the king was against the law, so David had every right to cut off the man’s head-as his generals encouraged him to do.

Here we see the difference between Saul and David in their response to those wanting to harm them. Chapters 19 – 24 of 1 Samuel detail how Saul’s jealousy motivated him to kill David. This is the defining difference between a leader who seeks to lead through a vertical dimension with God and a leader with a
horizontal fix-it mode. God knew David as a man after His own heart. Yet, David was a murderer, adulterer, and had failed in many areas of his life. But one thing separated this leader from all the rest: He had a heart that sought to please God and be in His will. When David blew it, he repented.

What is the purpose God desires to accomplish with the estranged relationship you may have with someone? Has He brought this issue forward to find out what is in your heart? Will you seek revenge and try to solve the problem yourself? Or will you find the grace to allow God to carry out vengeance in His time if it is needed? We must learn this freedom of staying vertical with God and avoiding the trap of fixing things in our own energies. Seeking revenge is not our responsibility. We must examine our hearts in these matters. If pure, then the issue is for character building. It is the only way God builds the deepest level of character in believers.

Many of us have strained relationships with family members, friends, or others we have wronged or who have wronged us. Perhaps we recognize the need for reconciliation but are not sure how to do it. Healthy relationships are always by grace. We cannot control how others respond to us. We can only show grace
and enjoy the grace shown to us by controlling how we respond. 1 John4:20 NKJV asks the believer, “How can you love a God you have not seen and hate your brother whom you have seen?”

Pastor and author A.W. Tozer tells us, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” God can use storms of conflict in relationships at times to accomplish deeper work in our character. We cannot love our enemies in our own strength. This is graduate-level grace. Are you willing to enter this school? Are you ready to take the test? If you pass, you can expect to be elevated to a new level in the kingdom. For He brings us through these tests as preparation for greater use in the kingdom.

Reflect
Spend some time praying in the Holy Spirit. Ask God to reveal to you anyone you have a strained relationship with and pray for that person. If you are led, take steps to make amends with or apologize to the person.

Prayer
Father God, I repent for the offense I have harbored in my heart toward people. I allowed offense to build a prison around my heart and to keep me from making spiritual progress. Today, I choose to let the offense go. I forgive my offenders, and I extend the same grace to them that I want others to give me. I now receive
freedom as I choose to walk away from the offenses that have held me in bondage for so long! In Jesus’ name, I pray.