What's Your Story?

We all tell a story every day about who we are by the decisions we make. Too many times we do not think about the stories that people will tell about our lives, but we all know people do. We know this because we tell stories about others. We think that an individual decision will not cost us our reputation, but it can every time.

King David was in a situation where he had to make a decision in the heat of the moment. Would he make the right one? What was the right decision to make? He had several factors working against him but in the midst of it he was able to see clear enough to make sure he did not have a reputation that he would regret.

It all starts in a cave as David and his men were hiding from Saul and his army. In the midst of King Saul getting focused on killing David, he let his guard down and so did Saul's men. You can read the story in 1 Samuel 24 but the short version is that Saul went into a cave to go to the bathroom and it just happened to be the same cave that David and his men were hiding in. David had an opportunity to kill Saul and end all of his problems and the problems of his followers. He only had a short window of opportunity and a decision had to be made quickly. It seemed like a no brain er but David knew differently.

Looking at the Facts:
1) David was anointed King even though Saul was still King (1 Samuel 16:1)
2) David was hated by King Saul
3) David had to leave his wife and the comfort of his house to run for his life.
4) David had some loyal men who were also running for their lives.
5) Saul walked right into their hands, which seemed to be from the Lord.
6) David's loyal men were urging him to kill Saul.


If we were to look at this situation we would think the Lord had answered our prayer and wanted us to kill King Saul and have David take the throne. But David knew better. David knew that the same God who put King Saul in charge could also take Saul out whenever He wanted. Romans 13 is clear that God establishes those who are in authority to accomplish Gods will. David knew that God established the Kings of the land and decided to not kill King Saul. David did cut off a piece of King Saul's robe to show Saul that he did not have any intent on harming him. Only after Saul left the cave did David reveal to Saul that he had the opportunity to kill him.

David had incredible restraint to not intervene on the situation and change history forever. Instead he submitted to God and allowed God to do what He felt was best no matter how bad David's circumstances had become.

SO WHAT?

If David would have killed Saul, no one would have blamed him but at the same time it would have been a story that was told forever about how David rose to power. Instead the story David chose to be told about himself was that he trusted God with his circumstances no matter if it looked like he had a way out. This story would be passed down forever and because David chose to trust God instead of his own resources, people would admire him even more.

What will people say about you? Will they say you took matters into your own hands? You rose to power by knocking off the person ahead of you? Will they say you trusted God with your circumstances or your own resources? This was not the only time that David could have killed Saul but he knew that to touch the Lord's anointed would be an offense to God.

1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?

Who in your life do you need to allow to live and allow God to take care of? Even though you have evidence against them that could destroy them, do you need to allow God to intervene? (Of course I am not referring to matters of law but of personal injustice) If you allow God to handle your situation, then your story will be how you trusted God even though you could have used your own means in dealing with them.

“One never accomplishes the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God, or ignoring the wisdom of God.” Andy Stanley

1 Samuel 24:12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.

Before you act ask yourself: What story will they tell about me after I make this decision?