I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 19. “And David said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?’  Therefore the king said to Shimei, ‘You shall not die.’ And the king swore to him” (Verses 22-23). What to do with the people that betray and hurt you? If we follow David’s example here… We forgive. Grace and mercy the two characteristics of God that allow us pardon from our sins. It is because of His infinite grace and mercy that we are not consumed. David a mere human, was so in love with God, so grateful for God’s grace in his life that he extended it to those around him (who did NOT deserve it). The lesson: Go and do the same. Grace and mercy aren’t meant to be given to those who are nice to us, we’ll do that naturally. Instead they are meant to be extended to those who hurt us and cause us pain. It is how we reflect Christ to them.