He had been anointed as king . . . yet he had no kingdom.
In fact, he really didn’t even have a home. He was a fugitive – always running from his enemy. For years on end.
He was David. And if you look at the story of his life, you will realize he had every human right to claim his throne. In fact, the life of his enemy was placed into his hands not once . . . but two times.
And two times he laid his own will down before the Father. Two times he refused to stand up for his personal rights. Two times he chose to base his reaction on something other than his enemy’s actions.
He knew he could have killed Saul and humanly speaking, he would have been right. He already held the right to kingship, after all. But instead, David chose to base his reactions on something other than his human rights. He based it on what the Father wanted. On the desires of the One he loved most.
And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. I Samuel 24:5,6
He had such a healthy respect and love for God – that it surpassed even his own human wishes and desires. He made a mental, yet heartfelt, choice to take the higher road. The other way . . . the one that doesn’t come naturally.
So can we be like this?
When you have somebody come at you with bitterness, rage, gossip, maliciousness, misunderstanding, or even rejection . . . what do you do?
We are so inclined to lash out in our own defense. We think the world should know how bad this person really is. We want to hurt the one who has hurt us.
But is that God’s way?
Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
The Messiah has a different way. One that will never be the world’s way – not our human way. The Lamb Himself forgave the very ones who sent Him to the cross. As His followers, are we supposed to do any different?
So the next time you feel hurt, rejected, and a well of bitterness is rising up in you – just pause. Take the time to repent of the sin of bitterness and hate in your own heart . . . and then ask the Father what He would have you to do. How would He have you react to this person in your life?
You may not get an immediate transformation in this person you are dealing with . . . but you will have incredible peace in your own heart. An abundant deep peace, and knowing you have reacted in a way that pleases the Father, is all you will need.
And that, my friend, is all worth the laying down of your own will, your own desires, and your own personal rights.
We believe in the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Scriptures. Jesus said, “Thy Word is truth.” And so we not only believe it, we also base our worldview upon it.