“Do Not Lay A Hand On The Lord’s Anointed!” (I Sam.26:1-12).
David was being hunted by king Saul. One night David had the opportunity to kill Saul in his sleep. Abishai who was with David told him, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear…” But David responded, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?…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 my hand on the Lord’s anointed…”
The irony in the story is that Saul was sleeping in the midst of his slodiers, all of whom were also sleeping. “They were sleeping because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.”
Few lessons from the text:
- When David had opportunity to kill Saul he sure reminded himself of the scriptures, “Do not seek to take revenge”(Lev.19:18). And the Lord saying, “It is mine to avenge…”(Dt.32:35). This teaches us to be steeped in scriptures so that scriptures can always inform our decisions and actions.
- It is godly to bear in mind that even your worst enemy is still an anointed of the Lord. Again scripture warns, “Do not touch my anointed ones…”(Ps.105:15).
- Donot listen to the wrong advice of your close aides. Many relationships and friendships have been destroyed because people did not depend on their instincts, but relied on the wrong advices of malicious aide-de-camp.
- Lastly, when God wills it, no security can be tight enough to protect you. Otherwise how could David and Abishai penetrate the camp of Saul having the opportunity to kill him without anyone seeing them or knowing that they were there!
My friend, the bottomline is that you are an anointed of the Lord and no harm can come to you except the Lord wills it. But know that the other person is also an anointed of the Lord, so do not seek to harm her/him. Whatever it be, the Lord has set the time for everything. Act in his will always.
Prayer of the week: Holy Spirit inspire me to allow vengeance in God’s hands. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.