Faithfulness Rewarded?
Opening Prayer
In recent times, how have you been treated unjustly? Tell the Lord how you feel about it.
Read 1 Samuel 26:17-25
[17] Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king.” [18] And he added, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? [19] Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have driven me today from my share in the LORD’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ [20] Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea-as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.” [21] Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.” [22] “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. [23] The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. [24] As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” [25] Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does David argue for justice?David hasn’t killed or defeated Saul, but by taking the king’s spear–the symbol of his power–he publicly demonstrates Saul’s impotence in the face of the Lord’s power. And for the second time, Saul publicly acknowledges that the kingdom will be David’s (25; cf. 24:20). David, however, is not intent on humiliating Saul but on demonstrating his own innocence and testifying to the real forces at play. David’s case is entirely based on the character of God: God is in charge. Righteousness will be rewarded, unrighteousness punished. God will vindicate him. This doesn’t mean that David is passive or silent. David makes his case forcefully and in front of Saul’s army (14). But he is not looking to Saul to change. As we will see, he is convinced that he won’t (cf. 27:1). No, David is waiting for God to act. In the face of injustice, we do what we can and we look to God. Justice will be done either sometime here on earth or at the last day. But it will be done.
Apply
What would it look like for you to trust God for justice instead of taking matters into your own hands?
Closing prayer
Help me, Lord, this day “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly” with You (Mic. 6:8).
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