1 Samuel chapter 24 verses 4-8 (NIV)
The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
David’s men made an assumption about a word that God had given to David. He had said that He would give David’s enemy into his hands for him to do with as he wished. The men assumed therefore that David would choose to kill Saul. David however chose to spare Saul and prove that he was not out to get Him. He took the moral route and did the right thing.
People, particularly those who wouldn’t necessarily claim to follow Jesus, may make an assumption of how they think we who are Christians should behave. They may be perfectly justified in holding that opinion. However, we need to be careful not to yield to pressure if our conscience, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, are telling us to do something different. The choice is always ours. Doing the right thing will allow God to move through us as He intends, and we will have the satisfaction of pleasing God, which is far better than pleasing others.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this lesson from David’s life. Help me to always choose to do the right thing, especially under pressure. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.