Daily Devotions
Taking Vengeance
Reading for April 2nd: 1 Samuel 21-24
"May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand."
1 Samuel 24:15
The book of 1 Samuel presents a stunning contrast between David and Saul. As the story progresses through the book, it becomes more and more clear that David is righteous and Saul is wicked. David is meek and humble. Saul is vengeful and prideful. David is full of faith in God. Saul can only rely on his own resources because he knows the Lord has abandoned him.
It is in this chapter that David's righteousness shines through the brightest. David is presented with an opportunity to kill Saul. It even appeared to be God's providence that gave him the opportunity to do this. No one would have questioned David's action. David would have been vindicated for being righteous.
But David was not primarily concerned with how others viewed him. He was only concerned with what God thought of him. That's why he would not raise his hand against the Lord's anointed.
It would be good for all of us to face our enemies in this way. Our friends will say we're justified in attacking our enemies. Our friends will tell us that God is on our side and that we are right in our negative attitudes and actions toward those who have wronged us.
However, at the end of the day it does not matter what our friends think about us or how they evaluate our attitudes or actions. The only one whose opinion matters should be the Lord.
So ask yourself... Does God really want me to take vengeance on my enemies?
Father, we know that in the end you will judge our enemies and vindicate us for our righteousness. Remind us of this when we've been sinned against so that we might treat our enemies in the right way according to your Word.
