Patient Justice: A Lesson from David and Naofumi from The Rising of the Shield Hero

Back a few years ago I got into fantastic anime series: The Rising of the Shield Hero.  What made this show amazing and also frustrating was the treatment of the main character Naofumi. I say that it was frustrating because this guy is teleported from his world to a fantasy world, asked to save a kingdom from destruction, but is treated like trash because he is the "weakest" hero of the four noble heroes. Not only that, they frame him for some pretty awful stuff and run him out of the kingdom to fend for himself. Naofumi of course doesn't like how he is treated and at first is very vocal about it, but over time he resigns himself to just push through it and live with integrity. This guy legitimately looks to help the kingdom and serve the common folk, he is the best hero amongst them. Over time you find out that Naofumi was actually being oppressed in more nefarious ways by certain members of the monarchy, yet he still stands/fights for them and the country.  You really root for him soooo much in the first season.


Naofumi reminds me a lot of David's character when he started out; before becoming the King of Israel. David is seen as this little runt that is disregarded because he is a shepherd, but ends up taking on the giant Goliath that everyone is too scared of.  David's popularity grew the more he fought for his nation, but it was King Saul who really had a problem with him.  This problem developed from frustration, to multiple near death situations, to a man hunt for David. Even when David was king he was hunted down and dethroned by his son Absalom. Talk about not catching a break! In Psalm 61 we see a familiar saying that is in David's psalms "O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me." (verses 1-3).  Sounds like a typical psalm/cry for help, but it changes in verses 6 and 7. "Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! May he reign under God's protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him." He is praying for their benefit while being treated like trash! He is being humble and patient that God has it covered.  That right there is called patient justice and in the end God does help him.

Are you feeling unfairly treated or wanting to write some of the wrongs that have been done to you? Have you tried taking these injustices to God and giving Him control over how it is resolved? How can you develop your sense of patient justice like David and Naofumi have?


Comments

  1. Caleb BoonstraOctober 6, 2023 at 2:27 PM

    Mind blowing how humble he is. Whenever i think “love your enemies”, i definitely dont think this far, people must have thought he was crazy

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