A Life of Great Grace and Mercy

Imagine being hunted for over ten years by someone you looked up to and respected. Even though you refuse to retaliate and even prevent others from fighting back on your behalf, the hunter only relents for a moment. Then one day they are all alone. They have no idea you are watching, hidden in the shadows. Now is your chance to take their life. It would be easy. It would be justified. However, once again you honor them as someone greater than you. – This was the fractured relationship David had with King Saul

When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness near En-gedi.” So Saul took three thousand of Israel’s fit young men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave, so they said to him, “Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: ‘I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.’” Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “As the Lord is my witness, I would never do such a thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul.

Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David knelt low with his face to the ground and paid homage. David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of people who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? You can see with your own eyes that the Lord handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but took pity on you and said: I won’t lift my hand against my lord, since he is the Lord’s anointed. Look, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. Recognize that I’ve committed no crime or rebellion. I haven’t sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life. – 1 Samuel 24:1-11 (CSB)

At this point and time David had already been anointed as King of Israel and God had already rejected Saul. David however, refused to think less of Saul and still saw him as the, “Lord’s anointed.” David would not allow the actions of Saul change who he was. And just like when David had full confidence that God would protect him when he faced Goliath, he trusted God for protection against Saul even though this would be a long decade for David running and hiding in the wilderness.

From man’s perspective David had full rights to fight back and even kill Saul. Saul deserved it. Yet David showed restraint, grace and mercy.

We are Saul

It is easy to see ourselves as David. God giving us great strength to overcome. However, the reality is that we are more like Saul. Our flesh wars daily against God and his way. Yet God shows great restraint and through Jesus shows us great grace and mercy. Even offering us forgiveness and salvation.

We should be more like David

• Pray for our enemies

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, – Matthew 5:44 (CSB)

• Trust that God will be faithful and see us through the struggle
• Don’t let the actions of others cause us to compromise our faith and values
• Even when we might think they don’t deserve it, live a life showing grace and mercy,
• We too do not deserve the love of a Holy God, yet he freely pours out on us his grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” – Luke 7:47 (CSB)

As we grow in our faith we too should live a life always showing great grace and mercy.

I pray each day I can be a lot less Saul and more like David.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers, Used by permission, Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers

photo credit: Ignacio Ferre Renaissance masterpiece via photopin (license)

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.