Love Rather than Revenge
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
David was able to love Saul because David loved the Lord.
David had every right to seek revenge for the spear Saul threw at him. David was the next king. He was already anointed as such and would soon be on the throne. Who was he to tolerate such actions from God's rejected king? Yet he didn't react out of anger or indignity. He reacted out of humility and love. Yes, David showed love to Saul despite Saul's hate.
Consider commentator Gene Edwards' thoughts on David's reaction:
"Unlike anyone else in spear-throwing history, David did not know what to do when a spear was thrown at him. He did not throw Saul's spears back at him. Nor did he make any spears of his own and throw them. Something was different about David. All he did was dodge.
What can a man, especially a young man, do when the king decides to use him for target practice? What if the young man decides not to return the compliment? First of all, he must pretend he cannot see spears. Even when they are coming straight at him. Secondly, he must also learn to duck very quickly. Lastly, he must pretend nothing at all happened.
You can easily tell when someone has been hit by a spear. He turns a deep shade of bitter. David never got hit. Gradually, he learned a very well kept secret. He discovered three things that prevented him from ever being hit. One, never learn anything about the fashionable, easily mastered art of spear throwing. Two, stay out of the company of all spear throwers. And three, keep your mouth tightly closed. In this way, spears will never touch you, even when they pierce your heart."
Have you ever had a spear thrown at you? Perhaps it was a spear of discouraging remarks, critical thoughts, or hateful people. We've all experienced the hateful remarks of others. Critics are nothing new. In fact, Frederick the Great once said, "The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog." Yet while others may treat us wrongly, God desires for us to show them love.
David's ability to love rather than seek revenge wasn't based on a feeling of love toward Saul. David was able to love Saul because David loved the Lord. As David later wrote in Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
Love is more than an emotion; it is a spiritual action. Our love doesn't flow from feelings but from God's love for us. Does God love us? Then we should love others. It's not always easy nor do we immediately exhibit love when wronged, but through God's help we can show love rather than revenge.
Has someone wronged you recently? How did you react? Naturally, your flesh will want to seek revenge, but God has commanded you to love. Ignore your feelings of resentment, and focus on God's love toward both you and the one who has wronged you. See them as God sees them-someone worthy of His Son's death-and ask God for strength to react in love.
Daily Bible Reading
Hosea 9-11 | Revelation 3
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