While fleeing from his son Absalom, David was cursed by Shimei, son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin, who threw stones at the king (2 Samuel 16:5,6). David didn't stop to kill him, but he continued to beat him, until he couldn't stand it any longer in his madness against God's anointed. Later, when he saw that the king was right and Absalom was wrong, Shimei went to David and stood before him, asking for forgiveness. David then showed that he was the man after God's own heart (2 Samuel 19:16-23).

        Now, when he ordered Solomon to put Barzillai's sons at his table, David didn't forget Shimei or the stones he had thrown at him, but he kept the forgiveness he had given him, teaching Solomon that the word given must be kept, so that the person who has trusted us will never be disappointed. The most beautiful picture is to see someone who has done something against us repent, confess their mistake and ask us for forgiveness. God acts!

           Shimei had failed cruelly. He couldn't have thrown stones at the king. You see, David was no longer a boy and could have defended himself, but he didn't. He didn't deserve such treatment. He just didn't deserve such treatment from someone who didn't know his son's reasons for persecuting him and wanting to take the kingdom by force. However, the Lord was merciful to Simei, making him realize his mistake and giving him the courage to seek out the offended party and ask for forgiveness, and he did!    

           There are Christians playing with fire. They know they've sinned and need to confess their iniquity, but they don't do the right thing. Jesus instructed us to forgive the genuinely repentant person: Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him (Luke 17.3). There are those who believe that a “little sin” doesn't need repentance, but that's not true.

         Some say that fanatics want everything to be perfect, forgetting that the Word of the Lord teaches this, not man. Many people will despair at Jesus' return because, on their own, they have decided to add their own thoughts to the holy doctrine; however, this is not what Christ said. For example, many fought to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, but today they no longer speak in tongues or consecrate themselves to God. What can we say?

         Well, if someone doesn't care about eternal life and the conditions for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, they should prepare themselves, because many will be forbidden to enter it. Jesus told of ten virgins who were prepared to enter into marriage (Matthew 25.1-13). There was no sin in them, but five of them had no oil left in their lamps. Then, while they were out getting it, the bridegroom arrived, and they were left out of the wedding. What happened?

         Five of them were reckless and lacked the oil that would light the way. Because of this, they were prevented from entering into the eternal marriage with the Savior. Jesus declared: Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is (Mark 13.33). So, what will your decision be?

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares