Wipe Your Tears and Move On (Elizabeth Hor)

I would like to share something I have learnt. There is something we can learn here from the way King David responded when things didn’t go his way. When King David’s son became very ill, he fasted and prayed to God for the child. He would even spend the night lying on the ground. The elders of his house stood over him and tried to encourage him but he was unwilling, and refused to eat food. He was desperate for his son’s condition. He was hoping that everything would turn to his favour, which was, of course, to see his son get well.

But unfortunately, on the seventh day the child died. The servants of King David were afraid to inform him that the child had died. When King David saw his servants were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead. So King David asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” They replied, “Yes, he is dead.” The moment he heard that news, King David got up from the ground, took his bath, put on oil on his head, and changed his clothes. He went to the house of the LORD and worshiped God. Then, when he entered his palace, he requested that food be brought to him, and he ate. (2 Sam 12.15-20)

King David’s servants must have been shocked to see his reaction. When the child was ill, King David fasted and he was at the lowest point of his life. But the same David reacted very differently after the child died. The Bible says, “Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped God. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.” (2 Samuel 12:20.)

I would say, King David responded in faith even at the lowest point of his life. He could have questioned and cursed God for his child’s death, but he did not respond in such a way. He rose up from his situation by faith and he refused to be in that condition for a long time. Yes, he was mourning for his child but he also had this assurance in his heart that God knows best. I believe even when he rose up, he was at the lowest point of his life, feeling sad and discouraged, but he pressed on and chose to get up. What more, he even made sure the first thing to do was to go back to the temple of God to worship God again.

This is the precious lesson I have learnt from this mighty man of God! He submitted to the will of God – even it meant the death of his son. I marvelled at how fast King David got up and got his life sorted out again. Notice that the first thing he did was that he went into the house of the LORD and worshipped God. I have been through quite a rough journey in these recent years and I found myself whining and mourning over things. This one thing I lacked – the assurance David had knowing and trusting our God knows best; He knows what He is doing. The next time I am faced with problems and struggles, this I will do....Get up and worship God!

There is a time to mourn but there is also a time to wipe our tears and rise up again. There is nothing wrong with mourning. I know the pain of losing someone in life – the pain of losing my mom and losing some other people and things that are so dear and precious to my heart. But by God’s grace I have learned to move forward even though it is painful. My brothers and sisters, regardless of what you have gone through or are going through in life, don’t overstay where you are right now. Put your trust in God again and step out in faith. He wants you to rise up and come to Him. Wipe your tears and move forward. Stretch yourself to see the unseen that He has planned just for you!! You’ll be amazed. Amen!

Regards,

Elizabeth

Praise His Name Forever and Ever. Amen