2 Sam 19:24-30 ESV

24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?” 29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land.” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.”

LAME EXCUSES.

When asked why he didn’t go with him, Mephiboseth had argued that Ziba, his servant, had deceived him. That, he being lame, Ziba didn’t saddle a donkey for himself in order to go to the king. However, could he not request other than Ziba to bring him to the king? This lame guy did seem to have lame reasons, didn’t he?

Ziba didn’t take responsibility but had ascribed all the blame to Ziba. Such blame shifting had started at the garden of Eden. It’s easier for us to blame another than to accept personal responsibility, isn’t it. The more we find excuses, the more we are accused. More words are sef-defeating. It reveals concealed realities as removing a glue by wiping it with a tissue paper. Thus David said to Ziba, “You’ve said enough. I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”[ v.29 NLT]

Solomon had said,

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” [Prov 28:13]

Blaming others doesn’t exonerate us from from our sins and failings. Our pride opposes God. And, it’s only by humility and honest confession do move the heart of God. As Peter had admonished us, “for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”[1 Pet 5:5b,6]

God doesn’t need our reasonings today. He knows our thoughts. Instead, we need God’s mercy. Let’s appropriate it by faith for He has lavished us with it perpetually. As Lam 3:22-23 says;

“ The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.”

May God help us to develop our sense of responsibleness.

2 Sam 19:8-15 ESV

8 Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his own home. 9 And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king? 12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’” 14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.

THE RETURN OF THE KING.

From his chamber of mourning, David went out and sat at the gate, a place of authority, one again. Doesn’t a king suppose to rise from his feelings and show his authority? The people who fled were told so. Thus, they came before the king. But, some elders were hesitant. He sent the priests Zadok and Abiathar to negotiate, to say, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house? You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’

David didn’t lift a finger to re-establish his authority... His return to sovereignty was decided by the voluntary submission of his kinsmen and by their loving obedience to his will.” (Redpath)

Notedly, David also replaced Joab with Amasa as the new commander to his army. Why? He was the captain to Absalom’s army. It was a magnanimous gesture of winning the hearts to the former supporter of Absalom.

Similarly, as from Absalom to David, there must be the transfer of allegiance from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light in our lives. [see Eph 5:8] But, Jesus won’t force His way unto us. Men had to welcome His reign. And just like Zadok and Abiathar, the Holy Spirit does work of convincing sinners unto the Savior.

May we allow Christ to dwell, that is to reign, in our hearts by faith today. [Eph 3:17]

2 Sam 19:1-8 ESV

It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. 4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.” 8 Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king.

AN EXCESSIVE GRIEF.

Absalom’s horrible death had made David grieving profusely. He covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Apparently, his gladness for regaining his kingdom was drown by his excessive sadness for losing his beloved son.

God knows our vulnerabilities. And He has no animosity over our expression of feelings. Aren’t fathers suppose to mourn over the sad plight of their children? What went wrong? Was it not that he allowed himself to be to be overwhelmed with sorrow.

Let’s beware to excessive mourning – mourning that is basically anchored in unbelief and self indulgence. Clearly, in 1 Thess 4:13, Paul had warned us, “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” Is it appropriate for believers to sorrow in death or tragedy like those who have no hope in God? Did not the psalmist write, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” [Psa 34:18]

Then Joab rebuked David. He had expressed the frustration of the people over David’s excessive grieving. That he loved those who hated him and hated those who love him. That the commanders and servants are nothing to him. That if Absalom were alive and all of them were dead that day, then he would be pleased.

As David Guzik had pointed out, “David’s problem was not in what he knew – Absalom’s tragic death and David’s own role in it. David’s problem was in what he forgot – that God was still in control, that a great victory was won, that he had many loyal supporters, and that God showed great grace and mercy to David. When someone is overcome in tragedy or sorrow, the problem is not in what they know, but in what they forget.”

Should we are confronted with sadness today, let’s not forget that God is upon His throne. Let’s nourish our hearts with hope through the scriptures. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” [Rom 15:4]

2 Sam 18:28-33 ESV

28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 29 And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king's servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” 30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” 33 And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

TRUTH HURTS.

David was sitting at the gate. Obviously, he was anxious to hear any report from the battlefield, specially about Absalom. As he scanned the horizon, David saw two runners coming in, namely Ahimaaz and the unnamed Cushite, which meant two reports are expected.

Ahimaaz arrived first and lied to the king saying, “ When Joab sent the king's servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” A report that did not cause any concern to the king obviously. But, it wasn’t complete.

Sometimes like Ahimaaz, we want to tell others what would be pleasing to them, that is, the thing they always want to hear. An avoidance to hurt others feelings may prompt us to either sugar coat or beat around the bush in talking with others. The person may feel good but it doesn’t help him either. Sadly, the mentality of Ahimaaz seems to dominate our times. It is akin to the days of Jeremiah when he twice wrote these words, “They have healed the wound of my people lightly,

saying, ‘Peace, peace,’

when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11)

The Cushite, however, was direct. He said, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” The Cushite just told David the plain truth. The king apparently was hurt , who went into his chamber and wept. But, isn’t it better to have temporary pain from hearing the truth that leads to healing than to believe a lie?

‘Today there is an unwillingness to tell people that they are sinners and separated from God. There is an unwillingness to make the people know the extent of their "wound" so that the good news of the Gospel will make sense to them. Rather than tell the bad news many ministers and Christians proclaim with a shout as soon as they can... "Shalom! Shalom!" when there is no shalom. The people are in a carnal state that is at enmity with God. Many are ushered into the churches and the enmity remains.’ [from http://realrevival.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-spirit-of-ahimaaz.html]

Indeed, the gospel truth may hurt. Nevertheless, they must know the truth in order to obtain freedom. [John 8:32] Yet, we must speak the truth in love. [Eph 4:15]

2 Sam 18:9-18 ESV

9 And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. 10 And a certain man saw it and told Joab, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.” 11 Joab said to the man who told him, “What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” 12 But the man said to Joab, “Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom.’ 13 On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.” 14 Joab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. 15 And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him.

16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them. 17 And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his own home. 18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that is in the King's Valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom's monument to this day.

AN ABUSE OF POWER.

There is no doubt that David had his trust to his nephew-general, Joab. He was the son of Zeruiah, David’s half sister. He became the commander in David’s service when David was ruler of Judah in the south while one of Saul’s remaining sons, Ishbosheth, was still ruling northern Israel. Ishboseth’s commander. Then, Abner eventually had a pact with David. But, Joab killed Abner treacherously in revenge for Killing Asahel, Joab’s brother.[2 Sam 3:27] And, instead of punishing him, David washed his hands that he had nothing to do with it. Simply put, he tacitly approved it.

Moreover, Joab had complied with David’s order to murder Uriah as a cover-up for his adultery with Bathseba. It was a clean and perfect concealment. He knew what makes David happy.

And here, when Absalom tried to escape and his long hair was stuck at a branch, the other officers refused to kill him. Without hesitation, he shot three darts into Absalom’s heart and buried his corpse in a pit. Obviously, he didn’t honor David’s word, much more the rebel son Absalom.

Simply put, as David’s hatchet man, Joab was drunk with power. He was so quick and impulsive in taking things in his hands.

Having power is as having a fertile ground for the weeds of pride to grow. And, its glitter is blinding and deafening to one’s eyes and ears, respectively. Joab had gone overboard that he wasn’t even bothered to disrespect David. “Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.”[anonymous]

“For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” C.S. Lewis

2 Sam 18:1-5 ESV

Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the men, “I myself will also go out with you.” 3 But the men said, “You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.” 4 The king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands. 5 And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

YOU ARE WORTH TEN THOUSAND OF US.

David was once the sidelined shepherd by his father, slighted by his brothers, hunted by Saul and now having been undermined by his son, Absalom. Despite all these, to all who knew and had been endeared by him, he was ‘worth ten thousand of them.’

Though David was on the run, he is still the anointed king of Israel. But, it was the integrity of his heart that was undoubtedly splendid, was it not? He wasn’t perfect. He made egregious mistakes but he made amends later. His humility was evident by his brokenness. His meekness was manifested when he dealt with Shimei. And his gentleness to his erring son Absalom was made evident. Just before the confrontation, he ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.”

I wonder if we hold Jesus so dearly as the men did to David. Didn’t Jesus demand our all in following Him? He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” [Luke 9:23] Shouldn’t we give our all to the One who gave His all firstly to us? As the father hadn’t spare Him for us[Rom 8:32], Jesus did willingly give Himself for us as well.

Shouldn’t we be like Paul in esteeming Jesus? He expressed, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [Gal 6:14]. “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” [Phil 1:20,21]

We know that ‘we were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.’ [1 Pet 1:18,19] How then should we esteem Him in our lives today?

Christ is my all in all.

2 Sam 17:27-29 ESV

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

REAL FRIENDS.

During David’s escape and hardships, there were true friends who helped him and his men, namely; Shobi, Machir and Barzillai. They refreshed with their gifts from hunger, weariness and thirtsts in the wilderness. They were very opposite to Ahitophel.

According to Coffman Commentaries of the Bible, “All of the men mentioned here were powerful princes of Israel who had the grace and the ability to supply David's company with much-needed provisions. This reaction of David's friends to his misfortunes bears strong testimony to the remarkable power he had for winning the affections of men. If a man is to be judged by the opinion of his friends, David must stand high in the judgment of history."

"Shobi ... of the Ammonites" His father may have been the king of the Ammonites; and David may have appointed him as a vassal king or governor of Ammon after he took Rabbah (2 Samuel 12:29)." In any event, "He was one of the men of Rabbah to whom David had shown kindness after his capture of that city." "Amiel of Lo-debar" This man was a son of Ahithophel and the father of Bathsheba. Thus, Machir was Bathsheba's brother. "Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim" This man was an ancestor through a daughter of a family of priests, who were called after him, `Sons of Barzillai.' They returned from the Babylonian captivity with Ezra (Ezra 2:61-63)."

Friends in need are friends indeed. It’s a joy to be surrounded by sincere and genuine people, who in unexpected ways may reciprocate the goodness done unto them.

A bird saw an ant struggling to keep himself afloat dropped a leaf to rescue it. Several days later, the same ant saw a hunter aiming his arrow to the bird. Immediately, he bit the foot of the hunter affecting his focus so that the bird flew away uscathed. The goodness that we do to others maybe reciprocated for what we sow we reap.[Gal 6:7]

2 Sam 17:14, 23-26 ESV

14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

AHITOPHEL’S SUICIDE.

When Ahitophel took his own life, it was the last straw in the camel’s back. His bitterness had led him spiraling down. His suicide was the inevitable result.

Death is both an event and a process. The day Ahitophel had nourished his grudges was the beginning of his end. It is said that being bitter is like drinking poison hoping that the person he hated will be poisoned. This poison may affect one’s sight that he becomes oblivious of the corruption within.

Many disasters had start with a small leak. Hence, Solomon had warned us, by saying;

“Catch the foxes for us,

the little foxes

that spoil the vineyards,

for our vineyards are in blossom.”[ Song of Sol 2:15]

David had completed trusted Ahitophel as a friend. He did not expect their relationship would ever turn sour, much more to betray him. David had reflected about this by saying;

” Even my close friend in whom I trusted,

who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” [ Psa 41:9]

Are you hurting today? Forgiveness is the only way. It’s not a feeling but a volition. Otherwise, bitterness would erode the core as hungry termites that consume the core of a giant tree until it falls down. Therefore, let’s not fail the grace of God, that is, the supernatural capacity to let go off our hurts and pains. May we won’t be carried away by the deceitfulness of our hearts. [Jer 17:9,10]

Keep your heart with all vigilance. [Prov 4:23]

2 Sam 16:15-23 ESV

15 Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, for whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

AHITHOPEL’S COUNSEL.

As Hushai indicated his allegiance to him, Absalom was hesitant at the start, saying, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” But, Hushai’s play of words had outwitted him, even Ahitophel.

No doubt, the young Absalom had leaned upon the wisdom to the older and experienced Ahitophel. Thus, as Ahitophel had counseled him, he went into his father’s concubines. “In the ancient world, taking the king’s concubines was not only an act of immorality; but also an act of treason. This was a way for Absalom to not only replace David but also to completely repudiate his father.” [ from David Guzik]

Absalom, then, pitched a tent at the roof top and did the deplorable act in the sight of all Israel. Was this Ahitophel’s slight to David’s adultery that started at the roof top? Most probably but nevertheless, this was part of the consequences of David’s sin.

Ahitophel’s counsel was bad for having been tainted with personal grudges and revenge. Had he forgotten that David is the anointed king? His passions did color his evil decisions, didn’t it? Paul had warned us ‘not to be wise in our own conceits.’[Rom 12:16] Ahitophel’s actuations did betray his age, didn’t it?

Today, let it be that we have our passions keep in check. God had placed our heads above our hearts so that we should not allow our hearts to supersede our minds. An anger that controls the mind doesn’t work the righteousness of God.[Jas 1:19] This is the sure formula that results to more regrets in life. God does not want us to take things in our hands but wait upon the Lord. Let’s be aware that our self centeredness is always our own undoing.

2 Sam 16:5-14 ESV

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.

FORBEARANCE.

There is no doubt that Shimei was filled with hatred to David, the king. In a tantrum, he hurled stones to David and cursing him along the way. A total disrespect to the anointed king of Israel.

While David did nothing, Abishai, one of his generals, was annoyed. “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.”, he said to the king. But, David’s answer may had taken him aback. “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? 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. 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.” David did not react based on impulse. As the king, he had the power to indict Shimei, But, his meekness had him response with serenity and quiescence.

Like David, do we see the hand of God over the evil hurled upon us? That we shouldn’t take things in our hands in anger. For “surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.” [Psa 76:10] Evidently, David had believed that the Lord will repay with good for the cursing he received that day.

We don’t have control to what anyone will do to us, do we? But, we do have with regards to our reactions. The stability of a leader is in the control of his spirit. “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” [Prov 16:32]

Thus, you and I need not be carried by our passions but by the truth that God is behind either directly or indirectly in the troubles of our lives today.