May 5, 2025 - 1 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭13

“As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you.” 1 Samuel 24:13 ESV

Lord, I love how David honors Saul here. It is truly amazing and inspiring. Help us be more like this. Saul is chasing him down trying to kill him. He has been on the run for his life and hiding. It is estimated he was running for his life between 10 and 15 years, we don’t know how long in the journey this event was, but regardless we know a while has passed. I can’t even imagine how frustrating and discouraging this could have been. It has been declared that he would be the next king, but he is hiding in caves for years. Then you test him but give him an easy opportunity to kill Saul and step into the promise you declared over him. It was such a crazy orchestrated chance that this even came about. But David passed the test and walked away only cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe. He then declares this verse to Saul to show his heart. I am blown away by his ability to honor Saul, as your anointed, with how evil he is and how he has come against David. David doesn’t hold a grudge that needs to be paid back. He gives it to you and walks in obedience to you. How remarkable.

Lord, make us more like this. Help us not to choose evil when it would be so clearly easy to do so. Help us choose to honor those you have placed in authority over us, even if we don’t agree with them or have been hurt or mistreated by them. Help us to live to walk in obedience and trust you to make things right even if we must walk in discomfort for years or need to wait for years to see your promises fulfilled. You are just and trustworthy. In your timing, all things will come to fruition. We want to walk in obedience and in love even when it isn’t deserved. After all, you love us when we don’t deserve it. Thank you, our Lord!

In Jesus name, amen.