I Samuel 24:9
‘And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David is seeking to harm you’?”‘
The devil has many tools. Gossip and the words of others is a big one. David points this out to Saul. He gave a huge example demonstrating it's error. Basically, Saul "I just had an opportunity to kill you. Many were saying God gave you into my hands. Most would agree. However, I didn't do that, but am loyal to you."
Rumors, gossip can be incredibly hurtful. Much of it might not be ill intentioned, but that's the result. We are all guilty of it. We would be horrified if we saw the pain it caused. Much of it burns out like embers outside of the fire, but some is ignites and has a destructive end. The devil, the king of fire, celebrates.
Sometimes we are it's targets. David was. He fled as a fugitive for nearly a decade. Today's passage gives him a rare opportunity to point out it's error. This had to feel good. Especially as Saul received it.
But we will unjustly be accused. Sometimes we are cleared, but other times the damage has been done. This is hurtful. However, we need to give it to God and let Him heal us. We have to look away. The more we focus on it, the greater the infection of bitterness.
God uses these times. While He isn't their author, He uses them. This is a great Romans 8:28 example, "For we know that God causes all things to work for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose." This time was like school for David. It prepared him to have greater dependance on God. He escaped from Saul on numerous occasions that were God ordained. We don't know all the lessons learned, but one was stay in dependence on God and don't let the office ruin you.
The Lord will use our difficulties as well. We will learn to not let the hurtful words of others distract us. Our fear of God and His sovereignty help us to not allow them to hurt. We will fall into our pity parties, but they become less as we trust Him with our lives.
The Lord wants us to be strong. He doesn't want any negative wind to send us into a "why me" moment. Like a tree that can with stand strong winds, so His aim is for us to be strong. This training comes from small winds, then to ones that bend the tree.
Beyond being able to take it, He wants us to be joyful in them. That is a high level of trust. We'll feel the wind and sense the resentment, but we put it aside and keep praising Him. The Psalms show David's inner life. Much of it was his sorrows, some his praise. Others show the transition from low to high.
Lord, what a comfort to know that You are away of these tough times and use them to heal us. Help us to trust You in these times. Thank You that Your aim is to be trusting and joyful. Help us to grow to that level.