Suggested Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalm 54
Devotional Thought:
Title: “Act, Don’t React.”
As we have seen in the previous passages, the righteous and compassionate laws of God gripped the very heart of David. For this reason, when the opportunity came to take revenge upon his enemy, he acted with compassion and not in vengeance or retaliation. David acted contrary to how the majority of the world would have acted in David’s similar situations. David rendered good for evil, when the majority would not have blamed him for getting even. This act of spiritual maturity is the subject of this captivating passage of Scripture! There are some very valuable lessons we can learn from David. First, David was mature in the midst of temptation. (vs. 1-4) David’s maturity allowed him to recognize the sovereignty of God, the shortcomings of man, and the superiority of obedience. There is nothing sinful about the reality of temptation or in the relentlessness of temptation. I am sure David needed to fight his flesh and cast down the myriad of reasons his flesh was giving him to disobey and not trust God. However, David was victorious over temptation because he chose to believe God and act in faith. Secondly, David was mature in the mentality of conviction. (vs. 5-15) David, like Daniel, had obviously already purposed in his heart to obey God. David had already settled this issue in his mind; therefore, he was able to be obedient in his actions. David communicates God’s commandments, considers his own conscience, but most importantly he had controlled his conduct. (24:13) I heard it once said, “Character is revealed by conduct.” We demonstrate what we are really like when the pressure is greatest upon us. Thirdly, David was mature in the moment of affirmation. (vs. 16-22) It is interesting that God says if we will do right, God will make even our enemies to praise us. This is exactly what happens in the last few verses of this chapter. God resisteth the proud, but He giveth grace unto the humble. Saul acknowledges David’s kindness. (vs 17), kingship (vs. 20), and ultimately his character. Think for a moment: If someone ridicules, mocks, or curses us, what does it mean to do good to that person? If a person steals from us, causes financial difficulty, does harm to us or destroys our property, what does it mean to do good to him or her? To do good for evil does not mean to give license to wickedness or to indulge evil. Rendering good for evil means that my motivation, action, and intention is to please God and glorify Him by doing righteously. I never get to make other people’s decisions, but I do get to make all of my own. Therefore, I must learn to look to scripture to find my options in every decision that I must make.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to grow in grace and in my faith in you and your word.
- Lord, thank you for your promised wisdom, strength, and reward for living a life of humility and submission to your word and will.
- Lord, please help me to always act according to your word and never react to people, circumstances, or pleasures.