Saul had tormented David until David fled from his home, family, friends, and country to keep peace in Israel. Although God had presented him with several opportunities to dispatch his enemy, Saul, David refused to act. God blessed David with great success. God cursed Saul with great failure and defeat.

Now, back to David. I think I would have rejoiced at the misfortune that fell upon an enemy while I was experiencing great success. How does David react? Here’s what we read in the first chapter of 2 Samuel, “Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them,…And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”

Being a man after God’s own heart, David managed to keep the big picture in mind over his own personal interests. He cared more about God’s people than he did about his position and role amongst them. He quietly stepped back and let God work in his conflict situation with Saul. God acted in his favor but David did not gloat or celebrate or even secretly smile at the disaster that fell upon his Enemy. He wept for him.

The greatest giant that David ever slew was not Goliath. It was the monster of vengeance. He never struck back in his conflict with Saul. Max Lucado writes, “Revenge is irreverent. When we strike back we are saying, ‘I know vengeance is yours, God, but I just didn’t think you’d punish enough. I thought I’d better take this situation into my own hands. You have a tendency to be a little soft.’ … To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and he will do what is right. After all, don’t we have enough things to do without trying to do God’s work too?”

Chuck
 “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Galatians 3:26-27