I must understand that, as a disciple of Christ, God will appoint a “troubler” for me. King Ahab said to Elijah, “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah was Ahab’s troubler, his thorn in the flesh. Yet, whether he knew it or not, Elijah was Ahab’s best friend. My troubler may be anyone—my wife, my boss, my pastor, my neighbor, my child. Who he is is not as important as what he is. He is God’s appointed messenger to teach me God’s secrets, sometimes painful secrets, about my walk with Him.
My troubler has a special responsibility to me, but I have a special responsibility to him also. The worst thing I can do to my troubler is to ignore him; the second worst thing is to enter into conflict with him and seek to grind him into the dust. Those are two natural reactions because my troubler is a threat to my ego and pride; nevertheless, to indulge in those kinds of responses is really to hurt myself far more.
Not all my growth in grace results from positives—sermons, books, leaflets, conferences. Some of it results from negatives—an explosive quarrel, a thorough humiliation, a sharp conviction of sin, a daily exasperation. That is where my troubler comes in. He drives me to the end of my pride, loftiness, and self-sufficiency and right into the waiting arms of my Paraclete. Instead of lashing out against my troubler out of sheer desperation, I should repeat, “My troubler, my joy; my troubler, my joy.” That was David’s attitude toward Shimei, the man who cursed him to his face. He said, “Let him curse, for the Lord has told him. Perhaps the Lord will … return good to me instead of his cursing this day” (2 Samuel 16:11–12). The Lord will repay me with good for all the Shimeis I may meet along life’s road.
“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Thy name; the upright will dwell in Thy presence” (Psalm 140:12–13).
Daily with the King 