President Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet. Edwin Stanton is at far left.
I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. – Psalm 73:22-23
Psalm 73 was written by Asaph, who was a choir director during the time of King David. He was appointed to minister before the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle each day (1 Chronicles 16:37). He wrote a total of 12 Psalms and this one is his most transparent of all. If you read the whole Psalm you will see why. Asaph had to deal with people all day who were arrogant, rude, prideful and so difficult that he even called them “fat cats.” It had made him bitter, until he went before the Lord and realized that he was no better than they were.
Have you ever had to deal with difficult people where it seemed like nothing you could do ever satisfied them and they let you know about it to the extent that you didn’t want to be around them? As a Pastor I’ve experienced a few like that and like Asaph, I realized (it took me a while I admit), that I was no better than they were. I could be just as difficult. So what do we do about it? Perhaps this beautiful illustration from the life of President Abraham Lincoln will help us:
When Abraham Lincoln was campaigning for the presidency, one of his archenemies was a man by the name of Edwin McMasters Stanton. Stanton hated Lincoln, and used every ounce of his energy to degrade him in the eyes of the public, often using the bitterest diatribes in an attempt to embarrass him.
In the process of choosing his cabinet after his election, Lincoln selected various members and then faced a decision about the important post of Secretary of War. He chose Stanton! The president’s inner circle erupted in an uproar when they heard his choice. Numerous advisers came to Lincoln saying, “Mr. President, you are making a mistake. Are you familiar with all the ugly things he has said about you? He is your enemy. He will sabotage your programs.” Lincoln replied, “Yes, I know Mr. Stanton. But . . . I find he is the best man for the job.”
As Secretary of War, Stanton gave invaluable service to his nation and his president. After Lincoln was assassinated, many laudable statements were made about Abraham Lincoln, but the words of Stanton remain among the greatest. Standing near Lincoln’s coffin, Stanton called him one of the greatest men who ever lived and said, “He now belongs to the ages.”*
Jesus, who encountered more difficult people than we will ever experience said this, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven'” (Matthew 5:43-45).
We may not get to appoint the difficult people in our lives to a high office during our lifetime but who knows, maybe they’ll end up saying something nice about us at our funeral. Maranatha!
*God’s Little Devotional Book
To help us walk closer with God and to know Him better
