See 1 Samuel 24 and 25….
What struck me this morning as I read through 1 Samuel 24 and 25 was the disparity in David’s reactions to the evil of Saul vs. his reaction to the evil of Nabal. David had done only good continually to both men, and instead of being grateful, they had returned to David evil for his good. Truly, both Saul and Nabal hated David without a cause. Perhaps this was because in David, they saw the God they had abandoned and wanted to besmirch and obliterate his godly witness from before their eyes.
Now, in anyone’s book, the evil of Saul toward David was worse than the evil of Nabal, and yet David reacts to Saul’s evil in a godly fashion and to Nabal’s in an ungodly fashion. David, whose life had been hunted relentlessly by Saul and his army, refused to avenge himself by taking Saul’s life when it was within his power to do so.
In contrast, David’s reaction to Nabal’s pride and selfishness was to muster an army against him and kill all the males of his household. AND….unless Abigail, Nabal’s wife, had intervened with her wise, godly words, he would have.
As humans, we can forgive, but most of us don’t forget. This is a good thing because it teaches us to love others with discernment and keeps us from trusting people who have proven themselves not worthy of our trust. It can, however, also cause us problems. Keep your heart with all diligence, Proverbs 4 tells us, because out of it springs the issues of life.
David reacted to Saul in the spirit of humility but to Nabal in his pride and flesh. Why? I submit to you that it was because David had brought the evil of Saul to God. The evil of Nabal, however, caught him off guard. Still reeling, perhaps from his mistreatment at the hands of Saul, David reacts in his flesh. He does not bring his heart to God before he purposes to destroy not only Nabal but all the men of his household. David also probably felt justified in his anger because much of it may have been on behalf of his men.
Beloved, the Bible tells us to commit all our works to the Lord and our thoughts will be established. Like David, our heart remembers hurts from the past. Similar hurts occurring in the present can trigger the same kinds of intense feeling even when the offense of the present does not warrant the intensity of emotion you are feeling. And that misplaced emotion, my friend, is my signal and yours to bring our hearts to God and allow Him to search them and show us our sin. Then and only then can we deal rightly with offenses. in a God honoring fashion.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—1 Peter 2:21-24
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:14-21
