Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard: Has someone taken your place?

"So Absalom went to Hebron. 10 But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. 'As soon as you hear the ram's horn,' his message read, 'you are to say, 'Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron." 2 Samuel 15:10-11 NLT

King David's son, Absalom, was rebellious and plotted against his own father. His desire being to take all of the kingdom from David. He was finally killed by David's commander, Joab, who plunged three daggers into him as he hung trapped in a tree by his long hair. 2 Samuel 15:1-29, 2 Samuel 17:24-26 & 2 Samuel 18:9-18.

Absalom had usurped David's authority and would have continued to take complete charge if he hadn't have been killed. This was a bad time in David's life.

Today, people all over the world are being usurped by people who have decided what they have got - they want, and go flat out to achieve this. A good example of this, is a manager in a busy office who, despite being good at his job, has many enemies who are out to take over his role. Rather than support him, they 'back stab' him making his life a misery until he is finally replaced. Pastors may suffer similar things when members of the church disagree about certain decisions and gather support against him or her. Instead of the leadership team supporting the pastor, they end up being carried along with the others.

You may have suffered like this and it hurts. You may be working hard in a job making good progress, with good prospects and all of a sudden someone out of the blue steps up and makes big impressions and even though, they may not have the qualifications you have, they take your place. Sadly, it can happen within a church. You may be in a particular position on the team and you shine in your role. But, all of a sudden, the promises you may have been given are squashed and, you are replaced with no real explanation by someone who has only been in the church a short while.

This hurts like crazy and you feel you have been treated awfully but no one is listening. Your heart tells you to give this to God, whereas, your mind tells you otherwise and you want to take the matter into your own hands. However, this is not the way. What does God's Word say:

'Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the scriptures say: 'I will take revenge; I will pay them back' says the Lord. ( Romans 12:17-18 NLT )

Absalom couldn't hide from God; at just the right moment he had his 'Just Desserts'. It's the same with others, if you don't avenge, God will, probably not the way you would have done it, but they will be paid back. Let's not forget, Satan will get his come uppance too.

Therefore, as sad and angry as it makes you feel, pray and give it to God and at the right time, He will repay.

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