In the eyes of the Lord

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 25-27

1 Samuel 26:23-24 The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord 's anointed. 24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

David and Abishai dad Saul and Abner dead to rights. A deep sleep had fallen upon Saul and his army and David and Abishai crept into their camp. David took the spear and canteen that laid by Saul's pillow and they went back to a hill a safe distance away. David would not kill Saul. He would not permit Abishai to kill him.

1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord 's anointed, and be guiltless?

Saul wanted to kill David and was hunting him like an animal and yet David's integrity was impeccable. He would not touch the Lord's anointed. He would leave that to the Lord. However, he wanted Saul to know how close he had come that night to death. David could have killed him in his sleep. Now, all David wanted was for Saul to realize how much David valued his life. In David's eyes, Saul's life was precious.

Do you see life as precious? Do you value human life?

David also valued the anointing of God on Saul's life. God chose Saul and David knew that. However, when it came to the value of David's life, he did not ask Saul to value his life as David valued Saul's. Instead, David placed his life in the hands of God.

"Let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord and let him deliver me out of all tribulation," said David.

He wanted the value of his life to come from God. He did not want an 'even trade' with Saul and he made no covenant with him. Instead he trusted God with his life. You and I should do the same. Our value and security does not come from man or man's institutions. Our value and security comes from God. Let's trust him to provide, protect and define our life's purpose.


In Christ,
Rody