Day Eighteen: David – Leaving Room for God
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11:32; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 24:1-22
Introduction: The prophet Samuel said David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He certainly wasn’t perfect. In addition to all the good things he did, he was also guilty of adultery and murder. Some might wonder how such a man could ever find the kind of favor with God that David experienced given some of his sinful behavior. The answer lies in David’s tenderness before God. When confronted with his sin of adultery and murder, David didn’t attempt to excuse his behavior. He confessed his guilt and submitted himself to God’s judgment (2 Samuel 12:1-15). Terrible consequences followed, but David tried always to stay open to God. The incident in today’s reading is a perfect example of why David held a special place in God’s favor. King Saul pursued David relentlessly. He knew God had decided to replace him with David as king of Israel. As Saul entered a cave by himself, David had the perfect opportunity to help God make that happen and to rid himself of his enemy. Yet, just cutting off the edge of Saul’s coat led to such pangs of conscience that David knew he could never take his own revenge against Saul, the Lord’s anointed. David trusted God to deal with his enemy. Rather than letting resentment and revenge fill his heart and turn to bitterness, David kept his heart pliable in God’s hands and trusted God for his future. In the end, Saul was killed in battle, and his son Jonathan with him. David became the king of Israel in God’s time and in God’s way, and he went on to lead the kingdom of Israel into unimaginable blessings from God.
Application: David reminds us that vengeance really does belong to God. If God considers a wrong we have faced serious enough to deserve judgment, He is quite capable and willing to serve up that judgment. If the wrong doesn’t rise to the level that God considers it worth addressing before the final judgment, we should not either. This can be difficult for us. We have a strong sense of right and wrong, and we want wrongs committed against us to be dealt with swiftly and completely. When we take vengeance into our own hands, though, or harbor anger and resentment in our hearts, we hurt ourselves. If we aren’t careful, a root of bitterness can grow in our hearts and minds that will affect all of our relationships, especially with God. We must not ignore our conscience, but instead trust God to right wrongs and stay close to Him. We must leave room in other people’s lives for God to work.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to extend mercy and forgiveness to others even as I have received it from You. Help me release to You my anger and resentment for wrongs I have experienced so that my heart can remain soft and my spirit tender before You and others. I trust You to hold accountable those who have wronged me in Your own time and Your own way. Amen.