The vise of government bureaucracy tightened around the little family. False accusations, broken promises, and abused power destroyed their home, brought financial ruin, driving them to the edge of sanity. As we talked the woman asked, “Why would people do this to us? Is there any justice?” Their story of abuse at the hands of the powerful is not unique. It’s been repeatedly billions of times in history!
David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem, was called into the service of King Saul. He did his best, serving the king with skill and faithfulness. The people came to love the young man for his leadership and praised him in the streets singing of his exploits. Jealousy took root in Saul’s heart and gradually drove the old king into madness. Again and again, he attempted to kill David. There was no justice, no reason for Saul’s fears. In one of the dramatic stories of the Bible, we learn that David had an opportunity to settle the score. Take a look.
"Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’ ” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe." (1 Samuel 24:2-4, NLT)
With that piece of the king’s robe in his hand, David waited until Saul had started to move on, then he stepped out and challenged the king saying, "This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.’" (1 Samuel 24:10, NLT)
It’s is David’s prayer that we need to memorize for it reveals a heart fully trusting in God’s appointed time of justice. "Let’s decide which of us is in the right. God may avenge me, but it is in his hands, not mine. ….God is our judge. He’ll decide who is right. Oh, that he would look down right now, decide right now—and set me free of you!” (1 Samuel 24:15,The Message)
Are you waiting for justice?
Has some cruel person made your life a nightmare, visiting their crazy worldview on you, trying to destroy you without cause?
Cry out to your Advocate! Plead with Him for justice!
But, be careful about taking matters into your own hands. Our hearts are prone to sin and even though we may feel justified in settling the score, we risk sinning ourselves if we let ourselves go down that road. Better to let God judge! When He decided, it is perfect justice. Until then, we must be guided by our Lord’s instructions.“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. … But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." (Matthew 5:44-45, NLT)
Waiting for God’s justice gives us great freedom. It allows us to live without fear, trusting the One who knows for our security and vindication. Will you choose to live in faith today?
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