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God’s Will, Not Mine
John Tilton1 Samuel 24:3-6
He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cavewas there, and Saul went in to relievehimself. David and his men were far back in the cave.4The men said, “This is the day theLordspokeof when he said[b]to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ”Then David crept up unnoticed and cutoff a corner of Saul’s robe. 5Afterward, David was conscience-strickenfor having cut off a corner of his robe.6He said to his men, “TheLordforbid that I should do such a thing to my master, theLord’s anointed,or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of theLord.”
David was provided such an opportunity to seek vengeance on Saul, and even to safeguard his own life by taking Saul’s life when given such an opportunity such as this. However, due to his loyalty to God first, and therefore Saul as well, who God had called into kingship; David refrained from harming him. However instead, he used the opportunity to attempt to safeguard himself in cutting off a peace of Saul’s robe to show that he had spared Saul’s life. David showed his reverence and obedience to God and God’s will, his loyalty and his brilliance.
What would we do if given the opportunity to claim victory in something that would also safeguard our life, position or household? It would seem that one would be hard-pressed not to see an opportunity for victory and safety against one’s enemies as an providential opportunity; especially if the perpetrator had committed evil acts. Yet what becomes so clear is that David’s focus was on God’s will and loyalty to God’s appointed and anointed, even if it potentially meant not succeeding and putting himself at risk. David’s action or lack of action also exampled his trust in God regardless of David’s will and safety. I am compelled to therefore evaluate situations such as this to consider God’s will before mine, even though I am prone to seek my will and way first. It’s interesting how I feel a sense of peace that I would forego my desires … awesome.
Dear Lord, Jesus exampled so profoundly putting others first, even at the expense of His own life, so that your will would be done. May I/we learn and follow through in the same way that I/we would put your will, our obedience to you and care for others before ourselves with faith and peace in you and that you have our best interest in your will.
