I Samuel 17:29,30
‘But David said, “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?” Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before.”
I love this. David is seriously considering the kings offer to fight Goliath. In verse 28, his brother seeks to shame him. He quickly comments, then instantly pivots back to thoughts of the battle.
David focuses on the important. He's instantly distracted by his brother, but comes back to the main thing. What a great lesson. There is so much out there to distract us. Sometimes we have to address it, but we should return to the important. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." David was doing that. This battle was the Lord's and David was His instrument.
2 Timothy 2:4 says, "No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him". We are soldiers for Christ. Our aim is to please Him. We all have jobs and some have families. It is God's will that we do a good job with both.
What are some distractions? Today's verse is a great example, getting caught up in petty squabbles. Some of these may upset us. We need to establish healthy boundaries. If it be family members, friends or coworkers, we need to resolve the issues. The goal is to stop that behavior.
Restoring relational problems is also God's will. The bible is full of advice on relationships. We are to love, not be envious and care for others. That's dealing with the issues on our side. Sometimes that's enough.
Restoring relationships might involve others as mediators. The bible talks about winning your brother (sister or friends) by bringing helpers in (Matthew 18:16). Later in this same passage in Matthew, it speaks of what to do if the other party still doesn't respect boundaries. There is a distancing that's to be done.
It sounds like some of that has been done with David and his brother. He says, "What have I done now?" This seems to imply the brother is always criticizing him. Due to this David has stopped taking him seriously. His brother has a problem and he won't stop picking on David. It's also clear David knows how to deal with him. He ignores him.
The longer we walk with Christ the better we get at putting all this in context. If it comes from those we respect, we'll listen. However, we ignore bullies or those who don't respect our boundaries.
It's a skill to do this. It's easy to let these things haunt us. "The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted", (Proverbs 29:25). We get better at ignoring people's opinions when they are contrary to God's.
I Peter 4:4 is a a perfect example of what can make us self conscious, "In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;". We feel uncomfortable when we're not accepted. We need to get friends that share our values as well as learning to put greater value on God's pleasure.
With God we are pleasing an audience of one. There is such satisfaction with the fellowship of God. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God". This communion with His Spirit brings such joy. A lyric from the old hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms is "what a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms."
David knew this well. Psalm 23 shares a beautiful satisfaction and dependance on God. He was able to easily put his brother's negativity aside and keep his focus. May we do the same.
Lord, thank You for a great example like David. Help us to desire Your favor over that of others. Help us to discern between the problems to address and those we are to ignore.