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Now, I know you’ve never had the urge to get even with anyone. You’ve never enjoyed watching bad things happen to a certain someone. I know that’s not you. Because you’re too spiritual to relish the day that person falls. Because you’re too spiritual to see that day they fall and say thank God He’s teaching them a lesson. No. You’d never feel that way. You don’t have any anger or retaliation in you. So this isn’t for you.
This sermon is for everyone else. You hate that girl because she’s prettier than you. You hate that guy because he makes more money than you do. You hate that girl because she has a boyfriend and you don’t. You hate that guy because he’s lost but has a bigger ranch than you. These are stupid reasons to hate people, but they are your reasons.
Now, let me turn your attention to a man who had a legitimate reason to hate. He had a real reason to get even. He was innocent while being hunted by a murderer. He was betrayed, set up, trapped, falsely accused, and hunted like a wild animal by his father-in-law and king.
David’s faith was exceptional against Goliath. His faith to step on the battlefield against the giant was outstanding. But what is more remarkable was his faith to endure daily running for his life while patiently serving the LORD. David did that because he truly believed the LORD is his reward; God is the judge. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Let these scriptures be direct. You don’t have faith if you don’t believe the LORD is rewarder of the evil and the good.
- God says to Abraham early in Genesis, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
- Paul would say, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
- Believing God is the rewarder is the opposite of being a man pleaser.
- See Matthew 6:1,5,16…they have their reward.
- The LORD Jesus Christ says, Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Hatred can feel so appropriate (vss 1-8)
- This real threat justifies my hatred and my self defense (vss 1-2)
- Saul’s 3,000 compared to David’s 600 in a cave.
- There is not a single one of you here in David’s position with this level of threat. But you believe your hatred for that girl, that guy, that man, that woman, that family, is justified.
- Get over yourself.
- The circumstances justify my hatred and my self defense (vs 3)
- Everything seems to have fallen into place. Why did Saul happen to choose the cave David and his men are in? This seems to be the opportunity!
- There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
- The spiritual crowd agrees with my hatred and my self defense (vs 4)
- Here’s your opportunity David. Everything has fallen into place.
- These men even quote scripture to make the point. They say, The LORD said… Small problem. The LORD never said that.
- David is momentarily persuaded. He is going to strike fear into Saul.
- Hatred can seem so right! The threats say it’s right, the circumstances say it’s right, the spiritual crowd says it’s right. It must be right. The temptation to forget God and deal with things in your own desperation is so real.
A heart right with God (vss 5-8)
- David’s conscience is informed by his faith in the LORD (vs 5)
- Things don’t sit right with David. As he holds the piece of Saul’s clothes in his hand, that token of hatred bothers him.
- You hate someone today. And you carry around a token of that hatred. If that token of hatred gives you joy, you have no faith in the LORD. But if that token of hatred eats you up it’s because your conscience has been informed by the words of God that this isn’t right.
- David has to instruct his men in faith (vss 6-7)
- David reminds himself and his men that God put Saul on the throne. Though Saul is an enemy of God, though the LORD never liked Saul a day in his life. Though Saul is a terrible person. NONE of those things make it David’s job to remove Saul from being king.
- The LORD will remove Saul because the LORD is David’s shield (protection) and David’s reward.
- You may have all the reason in the world to want to see someone get hurt including the fact that even GOD is against them. But if God didn’t give you the job of putting them down, His enmity against them doesn’t justify your hateful actions.
- David’s faith brings him to humility and trust in the LORD (vs 8)
- David won a battle that day, but not against Saul, against himself.
David’s faith (vss 9-15)
- David gives Saul the benefit of the doubt though he doesn’t deserve it (vs 9).
- That piece of Saul’s clothing in David’s hands now becomes a testament to David’s good will toward Saul and David’s faith in the LORD (vss 10-11).
- David faithfully says, I choose to let God judge (vss 12-15).
- God says, To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time…
- Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
- For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Faith pleases God (vss 16-22)
- Without faith it is impossible to please God leads to When a man’s ways please the LORD (the man’s faith), he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- David’s faith will diffuse Saul’s murderous hunt for his life. The Lord is thy shield!
- There are some people you hate. And you are so justified in your hatred of them. Even God is against them. But you know what your hatred really is? It’s a testimony to your faithless life. It is evidence that you don’t believe God is the judge.
- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that God is, and that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Let these scriptures be direct. Faith is believing the LORD is rewarder. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
