(1 Samuel 24:1-22) Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, it was reported to him, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to search for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Mountain Goats. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. 4 Then David’s men said to him, “Behold, this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold; I am about to hand your enemy over to you, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’” Then David got up and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly. 5 But it came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe. 6 So he said to his men, “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I would do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to reach out with my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 And David rebuked his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul got up, left the cave, and went on his way.
8 Afterward, however, David got up and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David is seeking to harm you’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had handed you over to me today in the cave, and someone said to kill you, but I spared you; and I said, ‘I will not reach out with my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 So, my father, look! Indeed, look at the edge of your robe in my hand! For by the fact that I cut off the edge of your robe but did not kill you, know and understand that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life, to take it. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me; but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel gone out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? 15 May the Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and me; and may He see and plead my cause and save me from your hand.”
16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Then Saul raised his voice and wept. 17 And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt maliciously with you. 18 You have declared today that you have done good to me, that the Lord handed me over to you and yet you did not kill me. 19 Though if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? May the Lord therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day. 20 Now, behold, I know that you will certainly be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. 21 So now swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not eliminate my name from my father’s household.” 22 And David swore an oath to Saul. Then Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
When we ask God for something, like let's just say for example - a spouse - we should never assume that the very first person who shows up is "the one" or that pursuing that relationship is in God's will. This may very well be a test! This might be the very opposite of what is in God's will. When these opportunities present themselves, we need to use the Bible and what we know of God's will. Does it really measure up? Or is there anything that goes against God's will? If so, walk away from that opportunity, pray, and WAIT... wait on the Lord.
Now regarding our relationship/s with leadership, no matter in what capacity, here David is a brilliant example for us to follow in regards to government and authority. Even when faced with the "perfect" opportunity, David did NOT do "what was right in his eyes" or "what was right in mankind's eyes", he chose to do what was right in God's eyes. David understood that when it was time for him to be king, God would make that happen in His perfect timing. He chose to trust God and wait on Him. And even though the Lord had already anointed David as the future king, David knew to respect and submit to the present authority, even though Saul was carrying out plans that were evil.
We are not to take revenge, but we are to ask the Lord to manage things and trust in Him that He will do so. God's word very clearly tells us that we should respect and submit to authority, even when they are not perfect. Are we to just accept that evil reigns? Besides giving us guidelines as to when and how we are to approach certain issues, God's word also tells us that we are pray for our leaders! If things are amiss, we should be asking God to manage things.
We don't know how or when, but we can know with certainty that God is sovereign and able to carry out His plan. We - cannot control anything but ourselves - and even THEN!!! So, very simply put, His will for us is to embrace Him and HIs word, choosing to do what is right in His eyes, standing firm in His strength and wisdom, while trusting in and waiting on the Lord. How much more are we to respect and submit to our Lord God and Savior!!!
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