“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 NLT
Before we begin, let’s look at a perfect example of how we should behave when we’re being attacked or wrongly accused, especially by those we trust. Nothing in God’s Word is written by chance, all scripture was deliberately God breathed for every individual and every scenario. Our God is very intentional, providing every opportunity for us to be our best selves in Him.
“After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi. So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my Lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord Himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, David came out and shouted after him, “My Lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you. Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and He will rescue me from your power!”
1 Samuel 24:1-15 NLT
The last line says it all! “He is my advocate, and He will rescue me from your power.” The confidence and boasts of David in his God is undeniable. He knew the innocence and integrity of his own heart, so he was able to lean totally on the vindication of his God. We too are able to have the same response as David. I’ve often told people who are going through hurtful situations “keep your heart from bitterness” God looks at the heart. So it’s important that we guard our emotions by trusting Him.
The perfect opportunity presented itself to David and his men. Saul was chasing David, but those aligned with him were also in danger. Satan had set up the revenge of a lifetime, but God had also set up one of His own. David had a decision to make, take the seemingly easy way out, kill Saul, end the constant running in fear, ascend the throne by illegitimate means without God, or trust Him to work it out. The way of the flesh seemed justified in the moment, but a clear conscience before his God meant everything to David. Even after giving in to his men and cutting away a piece of Saul’s robe, he was riddled with guilt. He had to talk his men out of killing Saul.
Satan’s revenge is sweet momentarily, but God’s justice is far better. It leaves us with clean hands and a pure heart. I, like most of you reading this message, have been wronged in different ways. But learning to trust the Lord to take care of us is painstakingly worth it. I’ve watched over the years how He has avenged and defended me for the wrongs done by those I’ve trusted. There were times when I’ve wanted to lash out and even remind the perpetrators of what they’ve done, but the Lord wouldn’t permit me to. We want to declare our innocence like David did. Saul's feigned attempt at an apology was only because David showed him how close he came to being murdered-Because we all know it was short lived. This was God’s battle and David knew to step back.
How about you? Who’s your Saul? Who has you running? Who has displaced you and robbed you of your dignity? David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. Saul finally verbalized it. He knew his days were numbered. Your enemy knows it too. All those who have aligned and conspired against you are nearing their end. Don’t take matters into your own hands, don’t be goaded by even well meaning people to run ahead of what God has planned for you. Rest in His ability to see you through it all. It may take days, weeks, months, even years. But He will come through on time. My nineteen years became one day. And I came through with clean hands and a pure heart.
Our enemies underestimate our God and us. Don’t show your hands. Show your confidence in the One who has our backs and never fails. Our enemy will one day admit what they’ve tried to deny. No weapon formed against us will prosper, no gossip will stand. We have an heritage that’s eternal and our right standing is of Him. Let’s close with Saul’s admission to his own defeat.
“And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. Now swear to me by the Lord that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!”
1 Samuel 24:17-21 NLT
Yes my friends! The weapons may be formed but keep your confidence in God. We are destined to win. Take heart, keep smiling. He's got your back. Clean hands and pure hearts equals certain victory.🙏
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
August 31, 2021