Responding to Conflict

2 Samuel 19-20; Psalms 55; Matthew 28 

“I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest - I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.’…My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Psalm 55:6-8, 20-22

David’s “tempest and storm” was the betrayal of a close friend which divided his kingdom and eroded his leadership-authority. Rather than open rebellion, this was a hidden battle with smooth, soothing words, disguising swords and war. From the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. When bitterness and anger reside in our heart, they will eventually be expressed in our speech and actions. David’s selfish fantasy was to fly away from the conflict and hide in his desert getaway. God’s invitation to David and to us is not avoidance, but full dependency on him. Cast our cares on the Lord and he will sustain us and fight our battles.

“Lord Jesus, I cast my cares on you. Deliver and defend me, for your glory.”