No Revenge Nor Bitterness

"John 20:10-31

Reverence

David’s attitude to Saul is a wonderful example of how to respond to those who try to do us harm. David did not seek revenge. He was not bitter. He treated Saul with the utmost respect. After all, God had used Saul greatly in the past. The fact that Saul had gone off the rails did not erase David’s respect.

His attitude to Saul was quite extraordinary. He said to the Amalekite who claimed to have finished off Saul, ‘Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?’ (v.14). In the light of 1 Samuel 31, the Amalekite may well have been trying to benefit from what would have been a perversion of the facts. He may have been a human vulture, who took the royal insignia from Saul to gain favour with David. In any event, it did him no good because of David’s reverence for Saul.

David grieved over the death of his great friend Jonathan and over Saul (vv.19–27). Grief is a natural, necessary and healthy response to the death of those we love.

Supremely, David reverenced God. He ‘enquired of the Lord’ (2:1). He asked, ‘Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?’ The Lord answered, ‘Go up.’ He then asked, ‘Where shall I go?’ The Lord answered, ‘To Hebron.’ David obeyed and was anointed king over the house of Judah.

Lord, help us to have the same love that David had for all those you have anointed in leadership roles, whether they support us or whether they don’t. Help us never to take revenge but always to treat people with respect. Help us, most of all, to live a life of reverence and respect and obedience to you."

1. Amazing how David responded to this normal human situation nowadays. May I learn how to deal with these situations by remembering David's response. Thank You for the message.

2. Thank You for impressing yet another ministry in me, connecting people. I may have had it before but I was not recognizing it as a strength. May You always guide me in this that I bring the glory to You instead of to myself. 

3. Thank You for being able to continue to explore local delights.