Day 138 – David Spares Saul Again

• Today’s passage in the Old Testament feels familiar, doesn’t it? Compare it to chapter 24 – there are many similarities. They are not the same story though, as there are too many differences.
• David didn’t have to sneak into Saul’s camp as the people slept. Why do you think David wanted, and dared, to do so?
• When they were there, what did David’s servant Abishai want to do? What was David’s reply?
• When David had left the camp he spoke to Saul’s soldiers, and then to Saul directly, from a distance. What was the conversation like? Do you think you might have said different things had you been in David’s position?
• David could have killed Saul. God could have brought Saul’s death about earlier too. David could have been king much earlier in his life. Why don’t you think these things happened? Do you think these troubles and difficulties were building up David’s character? Pay close attention to 1 Samuel 26:9.
• Think about yourself for a minute. Can you look back on a time when you found things tough, but now can see that you are more mature because of it?
• The passage in Matthew is very famous. It’s Jesus talking to the crowds as part of his Sermon on the Mount, just a few moments after the Beatitudes that we’re currently studying in the morning services at St Johns. When people think of Christian living, many talk about “turning the other cheek”. What do we gain when we choose to not react rashly to attacks and provocation?
• Matthew 5:43-48 reminds us that in this world good things happen to all, and bad things happen to all. In the future, our reward is in Christ for those who trust in Him. How can this way of thinking help us to “love our enemies”?
• What does Paul add to Jesus’ words in his letter to the Romans in the powerful words of tpday’s final passage?

Loving your enemies is one of the hardest things to do as a Christian but one of the most practical ways of living a Christ-centred life. I bet you can all think of several instances where you struggle to love someone because they bully you, or belittle you, or have done something that hurts you in the past. You might wonder why you “have to love them”. You might think it seems like weakness to “forgive and forget”. But you know, and God knows, that the hardest thing you can do in a situation like that is to forgive and to love. It’s certainly not weakness. It shows great strength in your character and real trust in Jesus. Choosing to love when you don’t “have” to is a deeply powerful thing.

Once again, the message of these passages brings us directly back to the gospel that we love so much. We were once Jesus’ enemies, with our backs to Him, and our lives rejecting His Word. If we’re honest, our lives will still resemble that sometimes. But even whilst in that messed up state, Jesus loved us enough to not only forgive us, but to die for us to deal with the penalty we deserved for our sin. There is a no greater example of “loving your enemies” than that of Jesus Christ, is there? It’s summed up in the opening words of a great song:

“The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend, the agonies of Calvary.
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son, who drank the bitter cup reserved for me.

Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus, thank You.
The Fathers wrath completely satisfied, Jesus, thank You.
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table… Jesus, thank You”

Amen!