Day5
1Samuel 26
Week 42
“Then David answered and said to Ahimelek the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” So David and Abishai came to the people by night while Saul lay sleeping within the circle of the camp. And his spear was stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the people were lying all around him. Then Abishai said to David, “God has today delivered your enemy into your hand. Now please let me strike him with the spear through to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him a second time.” David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him. For who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and remain unpunished?” David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish.”
1 Samuel 26:6-10 MEV
Cross references
Judges 7:10-11;
2 Samuel 2:18;
1 Samuel 24:4;
2 Samuel 1:14, 1:16;
Genesis 47:29, Deuteronomy 31:14
Opportunity For Restraint
We are not in the same type of battle that David was in with swords, spears and sling shots.
Most of our battles happen with our mouths. Perhaps we sling a sarcastic comment or a hurtful dagger of angry words.
How often when offended or when feeling attacked do we give in rather than respond to the opportunity for restraint?
David has witnessed how his restraint paid off with Nabal. He learned a valuable lesson that would be wise for us as well. Vengeance belongs to God. He is faithful and just in every circumstance.
We are not called to seek revenge. We are given opportunity for restraint in order to repay evil with good and display love to a world that is filled with hate.
The Word of God tells us that He fills our mouth with good things. (Psalm 103:5 KHV)
Are we using our opportunity for restraint to serve up those good things to our offenders?
Action Step
Breathe in slowly.
As you exhale think about the good things that God has equipped you with.
Many words are available for us to choose from.
Ask God to help you make wise choices and offer up love to those around you.
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