READ: 1 Samuel 23,24; Psalm 128; Luke 21:1-19
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 24: 4 The men (who were with David) said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.
OBSERVATION: In the world we live, we often see how people try to get a job or a position by taking advantage of other people. Sometimes, people don't bother about ethics; they simply pursue their desires and would do anything for it. Here in 1Samuel Chapter 24, we see two men who were anointed by Samuel: David, a chosen man to become a king of Israelites and Saul the first king of Israelites who disobeyed God and rejected by God. Obviously, out of jealousness and to protect his position by any means, Saul wanted to kill David. Although David was fleeing away from Saul to protect his life, David's valor and his future role on leading the Israelites were becoming clear day by day.
Here, David had a good opportunity to kill Saul and to become the king of Israel. David's men also thought that it was a God-given opportunity. Nobody would have questioned David, if he had killed Saul. David would have occupied the kingly seat sooner without any difficulties. However, David became conscience-stricken after he cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Instead of taking the kingly position by force, he spared Saul and asked God's help. Although Saul realized his evil deeds and regretted about it, it was temporary and short-lived. When Saul came again to kill David, we read that David again abstained from killing Saul with a determination that he would not kill "the Lord's anointed" (1 Sam.26). It was a test or opportunity for David to show whether he was keen to getting a high position or he was going after God's own heart. If only he had killed Saul, he would have become the king of Israel very quickly without any delay. After that, in his rest of life, he would had constantly struggled with his conscience. Apostle John writes, "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" (1 John 3:20). David listened to the voice of his conscience and protected himself from sinning against the Lord.
APPLICATION: In my day to day life, I have choices to choose between things. Sometimes, the opportunities in front of me may appear to be God-given ones to use it for my name and fame. Even others around me may suggest to do something to get the most out of such situations. But I must seek what the Lord wants to do during such times. God often speaks in my conscience and reminds me his written word. Outwardly it may be easier for someone to neglect his/her conscience to achieve or to get something great. As a child of God, I should not lose God for the sake of gaining any worldly things/positions. I need to have a clear conscience before God and men. It is better for me to wait for God's timing than to get something quickly and spending my whole life to fight with my conscience.
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