What do you do when someone has hurt you or has it out for you?
Insight Into Scripture - 1 Samuel 13-16
Israel wanted a king like all the other nations, which displeased YAHWEH, but HE gave them what they were asking for; Saul. Saul displeased YAHWEH when he was disobedient (13:13) eventually YAHWEH had enough of Saul and rejected him as king (Chapter 15)
David is anointed king (Chapter 16) but, Saul is still acting king. As YAHWEH's spirit enters into David and leaves Saul, Saul is filled with hatred toward David and has tried to kill him several times. Here is where we will pick up the story.
This is a picture of the Judean Wilderness. Through most of history it has been uninhabited due to the lack of water and good traveling routes. This made it an ideal place for David to hide from Saul. This is the wilderness where David spared Saul's life while he was sleeping (Chapter 26)
Scripture Reading
32 And David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from avenging myself with my own hand! 34 For as surely as the LORD the God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male." - 1 Samuel 25:32-34
9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?" 10 And David said, "As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go." 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them. - 1 Samuel 26:9-12
Think n Grow
David is known as "A man after GOD's own heart" As you will read, David had this intense, loving relationship with YAHWEH. What was important to YAHWEH, was important to David. Here we see one of David's traits displayed. In the first reading, David is angered, and is on his way to kill Nabal and all his men. David had been protecting Nabal and when David asked Nabal for food, Nabal refused. But, on his revengful way to kill Nabal, Abigail; a discerning and intelligent women wisely steps in and saves the day. David, after listening to Abigail releases his anger and gives his revengeful feelings to YAHWEH. As you will read, YAHWEH did take care of Nabal.
The second reading, David sneaks into Saul's camp. He and Abishai stand over Saul while everyone is sleeping. It would be so easy to kill Saul (Who has been trying to kill him) but, David again gives his revenge to YAHWEH.
Twice David puts his personal feelings aside and gives them to the LORD. What do you do when someone has hurt you or has it out for you? Do you look for ways to get revenge? Does it consume you? Do you find that you are spending more and more time thinking about the situation and how to get that person? Revenge is a consuming emotion.
If you are there or the next time revenge turns it's head towards your way, give it to the LORD. HE has promised that HE will fight your fights, and promises that revenge is HIS. I know that you will feel a weight lifted off of you, and GOD will honor the fact that you trusted HIM to take care of your problem.
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
Father thank You for the fresh air You provide for us to breath. The trees that sway in the wind a make a beautiful relaxing noise. Father I pray today that the ones that come into my life that I struggle with, I pray that You will show me Your ways and not mine. I pray Father that I can handle things with a loving heart and not an angry one. Father thank You for the so many blessings that You so lovingly give.
I love You and I pray in Your Name,
Amen
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