The Right Thing To Do With Our Rights
I. A MOMENT made for HOLLYWOOD. (v.1-22)
A. A REVERSAL of POWER. (v.1-4)
B. A DECISION that DISAPPOINTS. (v.5-15)
C. REPENTANCE that doesn’t LAST. (v.16-22; 26:2; 27:1)
These Old Testament stories are full of drama and suspense. Sometimes we have heard them so many times that we miss the power of the moment. David is on the run, hiding in a cave with all his men, and who walks in for a bathroom break and a nap? Saul, the one David is hiding from.
1. Kid’s Question: Have you ever had to deal with a bully? What was that like?
2. When have you had the opportunity to get back at someone and how did you handle it?
II. How David COULD have SEEN it. (v.1-22)
A. He had been PERSONALLY ATTACKED. (I Sam 19-23)
B. He was GOD’S ANOINTED. (v.6; I Sam. 16:13)
C. There was BIBLICAL PRECEDENT. (v.4; 1 Sam 15:26-28; I Sam 18:4; Jdg.3:12-31)
D. He had the SUPPORT of the PEOPLE. (v.4; I Sam 18:16,30)
The event is perfect for Hollywood, but David doesn’t do the usual actions we would see in a movie. He had all the reasons to respond by killing Saul on the spot. But he takes a totally different course of action. After the way we’ve seen Saul respond to crisis this is a refreshing change.
- Which of the ways that David could have seen it have you used in your own life to justify your reactions toward those who make your life difficult?
- When has someone responded to you in a way that showed grace instead of anger or condemnation? How did it impact you?
- Why was it wrong for David to step up to take the role God had called him to? What might be a modern day scenario that has some of the same characteristics?
III. How David CHOSE to SEE it. (Rom 12:17-21)
A. Only ONE is truly QUALIFIED. (v.6,12,15; Rom. 12:19)
B. RELIEF doesn’t equal RIGHT. (v.7,12; I Peter 4:12-13; Heb. 5:7-9)
C. The ANOINTED can trust the ANOINTER. (v.12; Mark 14:36; Jude 24-25)
D. Overcome EVIL with GOOD. (Rom. 12:20-21; Lk. 23:34)
David’s other path would be taught later by the true and coming King, Jesus. Little did David know it at the time, but his course of action would fit well with the words of Paul from Romans 12.
- What stands out to you as the most challenging aspect of Rom. 12:17-21?
- When are the times you find it most difficult to trust God with what happens to you?What makes those time so difficult?
- What are some tangible ways you can overcome the evil around you with good inthe coming week?
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.