ESOCS Devotional 25 October 2021
TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 1:17-27
MEMORY VERSE: “Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave; and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my Lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:10. KJV).
Our Lord Jesus taught us to love our enemies and do them good (Matt. 5:44). David practised this counsel many centuries before our Lord came into the world. But many children of God today find it extremely difficult to live by that principle. The reason is not because sin is powerful enough to lure and make them do wrong; but that they derive satisfaction from revenge, which God hates. But David was different. Romans 12:19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” saith the Lord.”
For David, Saul hunted his life from the moment the women of Israel sang his praise after he had killed the Philistines in war, after the death of Goliath (1 Sam. 18:5-11). However, David showed him mercy and did not kill him despite the opportunities he had to do so (1 Sam. 26:8-9; 24:10-12).
David taught us the following Christlike attitudes: David did not avenge for himself; he respected God’s anointing on Saul; hence, he would not touch “God’s anointed”; two times, he spared the life of an arch enemy, who hunted his own life vigorously; he sincerely, mourned, wept, and wailed over the death of his enemy; and he organized a befitting burial for a terrible enemy.
Let us learn to behave like David who aligned himself with the scripture, which says, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink … Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:20-21).
- Cultivate the attitude of forgiveness and make it a part of your lifestyle.
- Lord, give me the enabling grace to always forgive and cherish people.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 10:1-13; Matthew 13:24-33; Acts 16:25-40.
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ESOCS Devotional 25 October 2021
