By Andrew Williams – December 15, 2021
When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the back of the cave, so they said to him, “Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: ‘I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.’ ” Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “I swear before the Lord: I would never do such a thing to my Lord, the Lord’s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
1 Samuel 24:3-7 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
Have you ever made a promise to God or someone else, and then you listen to the advice of others and go against that promise?
In this story we see David doing just that. Even though he had been anointed king in place of Saul, David had promised not to hurt king Saul.
Saul decided to pursue him and hunt him down, and there was this constant cat and mouse game where David would run away from Saul so that they would not encounter each other. However, this day Saul found himself right in front of David, and David had the opportunity not only to cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, but to also kill him. With this opportunity, his men said to him, “see the day has arrived, where you will now gain the Kingdom.”
David did a simple thing which was to cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, but when he did it his conscience bothered him because he realized that he had gone against the promise and the pledge that he had made to God.
In this time of self reflection, David realized that even though he could gain what God had said would be his by just killing Saul, he had sinned against God.
Where are you today in your life? Do you realize that you have been living in a way that goes against what you have promised God, goes against what you have pledged to God, or goes against living like a child of God?
As we reflect on ourselves today, may we in all aspects see ourselves for who we are and make the changes that are necessary to be in right standing once more with God.
Prayer: Lord, You light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness. With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall.
God — His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides Yahweh? And who is a rock? Only our God. God — He clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights.
He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your humility exalts me. You widen a place beneath me for my steps, and my ankles do not give way.
You have freed me from the feuds among the people; You have appointed me the head of nations; a people I had not known serve me. The Lord lives — may my rock be praised! The God of my salvation is exalted. God — He gives me vengeance and subdues peoples under me. He frees me from my enemies.
You exalt me above my adversaries; You rescue me from violent men. Therefore I will praise You, Yahweh, among the nations; I will sing about Your name.
Psalms 18:28-36, 43, 46-49 HCSB