The Lord will reward each man
for his justice and faithfulness.
(1 Samuel 26:23)
God has a plan for our lives and that it was not our place to take matters into our own hands. Despite being wronged, we should choose not to seek revenge. We should trust that God would deal with those who seek us harm in His own time and way. Let us have faith in God's plan for our lives and to trust Him to handle the challenges we face.
Leadership and integrity require that we too should respect those in positions of authority, even when we might not agree with them. Instead of giving in to the pressure from others, let us choose to honor God’s commandment and trust in God’s justice. This shows the importance of self-control and choosing the path of righteousness, even when it’s challenging. Let us choose to lead by example, demonstrate the values we stood for and staying true to our principles.
In the quiet of the night, amid the watchful sleep,
A moment's fate did linger, in shadows dark and deep.
The Lord delivered to my hand, the life of His anointed,
Yet mercy stayed my hand, for harm was not appointed.
With justice in my heart, and faithfulness my guide,
I chose the path of mercy, with humility and pride.
For in the eyes of heaven, each man shall find his due,
Rewarded for his righteousness, for deeds both good and true.
Though the sword was in my grasp, and vengeance whispered near,
I heeded not its call, for the Lord's voice I did hear.
"Spare the life before you, show mercy and refrain,
For blessings fall on those who choose, the righteous path of gain."
So let this be a lesson, in times of strife and doubt,
To honor God's anointed, and cast the darkness out.
For justice and for faithfulness, the Lord will surely see,
And in His time, reward shall come, to those who follow faithfully.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your endless mercy and grace. We acknowledge Your hand in all things and seek to walk in Your ways, just as David did when he spared Saul’s life.
Lord, teach us to be just and faithful in all our actions. Grant us the strength to respect those You have anointed and placed in positions of authority. Even when we face adversity and are tempted by vengeance, help us to show mercy and forgiveness, reflecting Your love in our lives.
Remind us, O God, that You reward each man for his justice and faithfulness. Let us trust in Your plan and believe that You will handle all challenges and injustices we face. May we be instruments of Your peace, showing compassion to those who wrong us and choosing righteousness over revenge.
Help us to lead with integrity and honor, to act with humility and patience, and to reflect Your light in every corner of our lives. Fill our hearts with unwavering faith and steadfast love, so that we may walk the path You have laid out for us, following Your will above all else.
We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Pericope:
III Saul and David
SAUL'S LIFE AGAIN SPARED / DAVID TAUNTS ABNER / SAUL ADMITS HIS GUILT
1 Samuel 26:1-12 / 13-16 / 17-25
First Reading | 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
2 In those days, Saul went off down to the desert of Ziph with three thousand picked men of Israel, to search for David in the desert of Ziph. 7 So David and Abishai went among Saul’s soldiers by night and found Saul lying asleep within the barricade, with his spear thrust into the ground at his head and Abner and his men sleeping around him. 8 Abishai whispered to David: “God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I will not need a second thrust!” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not harm him, for who can lay hands on the Lord’s anointed and remain unpunished? 12 So David took the spear and the water jug from their place at Saul’s head, and they got away without anyone’s seeing or knowing or awakening. All remained asleep, because the Lord had put them into a deep slumber. 13 Going across to an opposite slope, David stood on a remote hilltop at a great distance from Abner, son of Ner, and the troops. 22 He said: “Here is the king’s spear. Let an attendant come over to get it. 23 The Lord will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness. Today, though the Lord delivered you into my grasp, I would not harm the Lord’s anointed.”
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
