It's Complicated(S1) : WK 6 - WED
Samuel 24:9-11
Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the LORD’s anointed one.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.
Psalm 140:9-11
Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.
Psalm 140 captivates my attention. I feel both mortified and delighted to hear David call down burning coals on his enemies. Asking God to alleviate our problems feels honest and raw. Presenting the choice of consuming fire or watery pits pushes me beyond my comfort zone. However, all of this exists within the context of David’s understanding that the king is the LORD’s anointed. Throughout his life, David deceives and hides from Saul, even taking sides against him. Yet, he never raises his hand to do violence to the king.
Once Saul has safely exited and rejoined his army, David and his men arrive at the mouth of the cave. As the reality of Saul’s narrow escape from death sinks in on the crowd, David cannot help but ask, “Why? Why are you pursuing me so relentlessly? Why do you want me dead? What have I done to you? And why do you believe the lies about my trying to harm you?”
Have you noticed how easily people turn against each other, create rifts, and become sworn enemies? It seems to be getting worse these days. Our culture yells, rants, and even taunts anyone we disagree with over the slightest issues. We have engaged in a global pastime of drawing lines, taking sides, and creating opponents. Perhaps the new bumper sticker should say, “He who dies with the most enemies wins.”
King Saul’s story unfolds in scripture with dark hues and disturbing details. Ultimately, we come to realize that he grapples with various mental health issues and faces spiritual warfare complicated by the demonic. I wonder, do the inner voices that saturate his mind with negative thoughts bind him to the disorders he suffers? And do we risk facing the same fate as we engage in the cultural contest of tearing others down from the shadows?
The counsel of God’s Word is straightforward: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19). It’s so simple yet so different… listen, slow down, and resist anger. When we add the encouragement of the Psalms to express our most genuine feelings with God, even when they may be somewhat dark and vengeful, we discover a soothing recipe for acting like Jesus.
Today, may you dance to the melody of God’s tenderness and love.
Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the LORD’s anointed one.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.
Psalm 140:9-11
Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.
Psalm 140 captivates my attention. I feel both mortified and delighted to hear David call down burning coals on his enemies. Asking God to alleviate our problems feels honest and raw. Presenting the choice of consuming fire or watery pits pushes me beyond my comfort zone. However, all of this exists within the context of David’s understanding that the king is the LORD’s anointed. Throughout his life, David deceives and hides from Saul, even taking sides against him. Yet, he never raises his hand to do violence to the king.
Once Saul has safely exited and rejoined his army, David and his men arrive at the mouth of the cave. As the reality of Saul’s narrow escape from death sinks in on the crowd, David cannot help but ask, “Why? Why are you pursuing me so relentlessly? Why do you want me dead? What have I done to you? And why do you believe the lies about my trying to harm you?”
Have you noticed how easily people turn against each other, create rifts, and become sworn enemies? It seems to be getting worse these days. Our culture yells, rants, and even taunts anyone we disagree with over the slightest issues. We have engaged in a global pastime of drawing lines, taking sides, and creating opponents. Perhaps the new bumper sticker should say, “He who dies with the most enemies wins.”
King Saul’s story unfolds in scripture with dark hues and disturbing details. Ultimately, we come to realize that he grapples with various mental health issues and faces spiritual warfare complicated by the demonic. I wonder, do the inner voices that saturate his mind with negative thoughts bind him to the disorders he suffers? And do we risk facing the same fate as we engage in the cultural contest of tearing others down from the shadows?
The counsel of God’s Word is straightforward: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19). It’s so simple yet so different… listen, slow down, and resist anger. When we add the encouragement of the Psalms to express our most genuine feelings with God, even when they may be somewhat dark and vengeful, we discover a soothing recipe for acting like Jesus.
Today, may you dance to the melody of God’s tenderness and love.
- What routinely makes you frustrated or angry?
- Who do you find difficult to listen to patiently?
- What relationship is frayed and needs God’s healing? What do you want to say to God about that?
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