Read: 1 Samuel 21-24
Saul had been pursuing David to kill him since David fled from his household in 1 Samuel 20. Weeks, months, YEARS had went by and it was still his only aim. Leaving his kingly duties to be done by others, Saul rode wildly through the land following any clue he was given as to David's whereabouts. And all the while, David roamed the land in constant motion, battling the enemies of Israel and thwarting Saul's murderous plans.
In the end, David would run from Saul for thirteen years before he could finally come home. Thirteen years of missing meals around his family's table, time with his father, the opportunity to grow his family and put down roots. It would have been easy for David to become bitter and angry, to feel the need to get Saul back for all that he had taken from him. And yet, when given the chance in 1 Samuel 24, David shows Saul grace.
4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
Proverbs 20:22 says, "Do not say, 'I will repay evil with evil.' Wait for the Lord and He will deliver you." David lived this out. When most would have taken the opportunity to "let him have it" or "get even" with Saul - David chose not only to spare him, but to honor him as the "Lord's Anointed."
Would you have done the same?
Our culture is full of so much anger. Facebook fights, Twitter wars - it's everywhere. Disagreements turned ugly. Rage released over computer keyboards. Friendships ruined because we couldn't let it go...we had to WIN. Daily, I see posts about cutting toxic people out of our lives and washing our hands of situations that affect our positive energy. Everything in our society screams of "Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." We think respect has to be earned. David didn't.
In a world where being right has become more valued than relationship, where fighting for our RIGHTS has become more important than fighting for others - I have to ask, "What would David do?" and "Do I do that?"
As we end today, I encourage you read through Jesus' teaching in Luke 6: 27-36. First ask, "How did David live this out?" and then ask, "How can I?" If the church doesn't live a different way, the world around us will never know there IS a different way. We are called to love, forgiveness, truth, kindness...and GRACE. We are called to GRACE. Let's make a commitment during this holiday season to release forgiveness to those who we have held at arms length and ask God to deal with any bitterness or resentment we have carried within our hearts from the past. There IS a different way. Just ask David.
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.