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Closing Prayer

Pursuing the Heart of God: Doing Right When Done Wrong

1st Samuel 24:1-19

November 5, 2023

Why do they want to hurt you?

1 Peter 4:14-15

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

1 Samuel 24:3

...a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.

When someone hurts you, how do you respond?

The Illusion of Necessity

“I need to get even.”

1 Samuel 24:4

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.’”

The Illusion of Necessity

“I need to get even.”

Romans 8:12

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

Romans 12:17-21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear 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.

The Illusion of Satisfaction

“I’ll feel better when I make them feel worse.”

1 Samuel 24:4-7

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.

The Illusion of Satisfaction

“I’ll feel better when I make them feel worse.”

The Illusion of Irredeemable Relationships

“Once an enemy, always an enemy.”

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

2. Honor your enemy. (v 8)

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

2. Honor your enemy. (v 8)

3. Humble yourself before your enemy. (v 8)

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

2. Honor your enemy. (v 8)

3. Humble yourself before your enemy. (v 8)

4. Express your interest in reconciliation. (vv 9-10)

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

2. Honor your enemy. (v 8)

3. Humble yourself before your enemy. (v 8)

4. Express your interest in reconciliation. (vv 9-10)

5. Declare your own guilt. (v 11)

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

2. Honor your enemy. (v 8)

3. Humble yourself before your enemy. (v 8)

4. Express your interest in reconciliation. (vv 9-10)

5. Declare your own guilt. (v 11)

6. Commit to doing the right thing. (v 13)

Doing Right when Done Wrong

1 Samuel 24

1. Take the first step. (v 8)

2. Honor your enemy. (v 8)

3. Humble yourself before your enemy. (v 8)

4. Express your interest in reconciliation. (vv 9-10)

5. Declare your own guilt. (v 11)

6. Commit to doing the right thing. (v 13)

7. Give it to God. (v 15)

1 Peter 2:23

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Samuel 24:16-19

When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today.

Are you pursuing righteousness or revenge?