Unexpected Allies

“There happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba blew a ram’s horn and began to chant: “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Come on, you men of Israel, back to your homes!” So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri… Then [the wise woman] continued… I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?” And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri… who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave your town in peace.” “All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.” Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab.” 2 Samuel 20:1-2, 19-22

Dealing with betrayal can be very lonely and daunting. When those you never expect to challenge your love for them not only turn against you, but somehow seem to rally others to their cause, it can leave you feeling a greater sense of abandonment and even cause you to question your role and morals in the situation. Are you in the wrong? Did you deserve what is now happening to you? Have you been looking at this situation incorrectly all this time? It’s hard to say, but what happens when you end up with someone or something in your corner that you weren’t expecting? When the situation turns on it’s head… and you’re not even responsible for the shift. Choices have to be made, and you have to be able to live with them. So I’m happy to affirm you, with a little help from our dear King David.

David experienced this often during his rule. Time and time again he found someone upset with him for things he did or didn’t do and choices he had to make as a result of it. There were situations he handled personally and others he was assisted with. His betrayal by Sheba is one of those times. Sheba rallied a large group of followers (ALL the men of Israel) and caused them to desert David. Talk about daunting. He didn’t just take himself and few friends, he took the entire nation with him! And David could have seen that as a point to quit or yield. Instead he went about carrying for the people who stayed. That brings me to my first Affirmation: Focus on what you can control now and deal with the rest later. It didn’t benefit David to put his energy into to dealing with the betrayers when he had people who needed him right there. The same is true for you! Deal with here and now so everything doesn’t fall apart.

After David made sure everything was well for his loyalists, he then turned his attention to the problem of the deserters. As a king, it was important to be sure that his rule wouldn’t be too heavily affected. BUT, he didn’t run after them himself. He sent his army. That’s Affirmation #2: Do what only you can do, for the rest delegate. This one is especially for my leaders. When looking at the tasks you been left to handle and things look overwhelming, put your direct energy into the tasks that must have your touch. For the rest, let someone else handle them. You’re not the only person capable of doing good work so spread it out. It’ll do wonders for your stress level, especially when you’re already feeling abandoned, to rely on the ones who have shown themselves to be dependable.

So the troops are out looking for Sheba and laying a bit of waste to the land in their wake. Unfortunately, in war times there are often causalities. But then something interesting happens. Joab (David’s leader of the troops) meets a wise woman who wants to know why their screwing with her hometown. Joab tells her they just need the one guy and if they give him up, he’ll gladly leave. She throws his head over the wall. That’s affirmation 3: Help can come from unexpected places in unexpected ways. Joab never expected to be faced with #1 a woman, and #2 the problem completely eliminated by her. He expected to have to work much harder to complete the King’s task but the unexpected ally in the wise woman made his job easier AND they both gained something. The same can be true for you. If you just set out to get the job done and keep your mind open to the endless possibilities for success, the betrayal won’t hurt as much as it initially felt.

So keep these things in mind as you move forward the next time you’re betrayed (it’s a possibility, unfortunately). Don’t let it overwhelm you and continue to press forward with your calling. I love you, and I believe in you. Keep conquering daily!