The Moment in the Cave.

This morning as I considered spraying washer fluid on my windshield to “encourage” a tailgater to back off, it came to me:

HERE’S THE GREATEST RULE IN ETHICS:

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” Luke 6:31.

Are we following that standard?  Some politicians follow a different ethic: “Attack your enemies before they attack you.”  Some go further: “Attack your allies before they have a chance to become enemies.” 

What would King David do?

Saul wanted to kill David for years.  He threw spears at him.  He chased him all over Israel. He killed 85 priests AND the entire city of Nob (men, women, children, and animals) to punish them for harboring David.  Then in a lonely mountain cave, God delivered Saul into David’s hands.  While David and his men were hiding deep in the cave, Saul entered to relieve himself.

Everyone was whispering:  “Now’s your chance, David!  Kill him now!  It must be God’s will!  That’s why God brought him here!”

David stealthily cut the edge off Saul’s robe, but refused to touch the evil king.  After Saul left the cave, David came out, bowed to the ground, and showed Saul the fabric:

“My lord the king!… The Lord handed you over to me today in the cave … but I took pity on you and said, ‘I won’t lift my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ Look and see that … I haven’t sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life.  May the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you” 1 Samuel 24:8-12.

David followed the Golden Rule.  David respected God’s anointing on Saul—and He trusted God’s timing.  He understood “‘Vengeance is mine’ sayeth the Lord” (Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19).

What about you? When God brings you your moment in the cave, what will you do? Can you leave vengeance in God’s hands? Can you trust Him to fight your battles?

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