As children, we’re taught to play fair and do what’s right…even if no one else is…then things will turn out alright for us.
But what do you do when doing the right thing seems to make matters worse?
In 1 Samuel chapters 23 and 24, David is taking the high road and doing what’s right and honorable, yet matters keep getting worse.
- David rescues a town of people, and they sell him out to King Saul. (1 Sam. 23:12)
- David defeats Saul’s enemies (1 Sam. 23:5) yet Saul moves in to kill him. (1 Sam. 23:7-8)
- David retreats from Saul, refusing to challenge or threaten him, yet Saul pursues David night and day. (1 Sam. 23:14)
- David has the opportunity to kill Saul, yet chooses to show him honor instead. And still, Saul continues his homicidal pursuit of David.
How did David continue to take the high road rather than give Saul a taste of his own medicine?
- David made God, not Saul, the object of his focus and asked God to show him what to do. (1 Sam. 23:2-6, 9-12)
- David focused on God’s long-term plan, rather than his short-term relief. (1 Sam. 23:16-17)
- David trusted God to rightly settle accounts, even if Saul didn’t. (1 Sam. 24:12,15)
- Finally, David protected himself, while giving God time to work.
David had learned from his youth that his battles were not his to fight. He learned he should stay close and right with God and trust God to fight the battle. (1 Sam. 17:47)
What battle are you trying to fight in your own strength? What wrong are you trying to right in your own way? Perhaps David (and God) is trying to tell you something.
My favorite point today: David focused on God’s long-term plan, rather than his short term relief. So hard sometimes when you are in the middle “of it.” Patience along with a focus on God’s plan to see past your own nose so to speak. Thanks for your 2 minute lessons. Seems like that is all the focus I have these days .
It is very hard to keep your focus up when, like the Children of Israel, the snakes are biting at your heels. But the Father knows our weaknesses and shortcomings and still chooses to work on our behalf…for which I’m grateful. Thanks for reading. That’s an encouragement to me.