Have you ever been so hurt and angry at someone that you swore if given the opportunity, you would do harm to that person, at least with your words?  Because I sure have!  There have been times in my life that I wish I could have just kept my mouth shut – but the worst of me comes out in my anger and frustration.

In 1 Samuel 24:1-22, Saul is on the hunt for David to have him killed.  Ironically, while David is hiding from Saul, they end up in the same cave together.  David knows that Saul is there, but it appears that Saul does not know that David is there.  David’s men encourage David to kill Saul before Saul has the opportunity to kill David!  And, while I believe that there is a part of David that wants to do Saul harm, he doesn’t.  He takes a step back and remembers that God had anointed Saul to be King.  David respects that regardless of his ill feelings for Saul.  When both David and Saul are face-to-face, David says, “I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life” (v.11). 

Wow!  There are so many lessons to be learned here!  Think about our president and the abuse of the office!  Think about all the revenge and hatred!  Not to mention, the prejudice and disrespect for authority!  David says, “…May the Lord be judge and give sentence…” (v.15).

David demonstrates to us that we are not to act on wickedness with wickedness – but with forgiveness, kindness, and love (v.13).  This is so hard!  But, when we give it to God, who is the judge, we are free to live our lives!

Let us pray…Gracious God, thank you for sending David as an example of how we too should live our lives.  Help us to see that through you, we can be free!  In your name we pray, Amen.