Overcome Evil with Good

Has someone you had the utmost respect for hurt you? Perhaps someone in the church. A brother or sister in the Lord either intentionally or unintentionally did something, said something or didn’t do something as agreed and it hurt deep inside. Seems like evil.

Saul was king over Israel, but disobeyed God. Therefore, David was chosen by the Lord to be the next king. Though Saul disobeyed, he was not removed immediately from his position. He was still king.

During Saul’s reign, he felt threatened by David and tried to kill him many times. Now David knew he was selected by God to be the next king. He narrowly escaped death by Saul. Perhaps justifiably David could have taken Saul out, but David did not.

Twice David spared Saul’s life. First, David and his men were in a cave in the desert. Saul went into the very cave where David was hidden. David’s men encouraged him to take out Saul. Starting to take advantage of the moment, David sneaked upon Saul undetected and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. But then his conscience struck him and he said, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” Then he would not let his men to attack Saul either. (1 Samuel 24:5-7)

He then went out, bowed down and prostrated himself before Saul, the king. David told him that he could have taken his life, but spared him. Saul wept and confessed he treated David badly. David gave an oath that he would not cut off Saul’s descendants.

The second time, Saul sets out to search for David. The Lord put Saul and all his men in a deep sleep. David went into Saul’s camp with Abishai. Abishai was ready to take Saul out in his sleep. But David said to him, “Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go.” (1 Samuel 26:9-11)

Again David confronts Saul with some distance between them of course. Again Saul confessed that he sinned and promises not to harm David. David answered Saul by saying, “Here is the king's spear. Let one of your young men come over and get it. The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” (1 Samuel 26:22-24)

After reading about how David dealt with Saul, a man who tried to kill him, I’m in awe how David refused to touch the Lord’s anointed. David recognized that the Lord placed Saul in the position he was in and had not removed him from it. David respected Saul for his position and left it up to God for when Saul was to be removed and David to take the throne. David did not manipulate or make things happen. He believed that what God told him would come to pass in God’s timing.

David was kind and generous to Saul in spite his cruelty to him. He did not repay evil for evil, but with good. Like David, we’re to be kind and generous to our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ—the Lord’s anointed, when some injustice happens to us. At some time, someone in the church is likely to do something that will hurt us, offend us or is just outright cruel. Would we like to see justice served? Of course. Do we feel like they’re our enemy? Probably.

Romans 12:17-21 NIV

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Overcome evil with good Paul said. Perhaps by being kind and walking in forgiveness, they will see the grace of God in their lives and change their ways. Even if not, we will see God operate in our lives for HIS glory. He never fails!

Blessings in Christ--