Mercy

Use these materials to go deeper into this message on your own, or with your small group.
Series Overview
SOAP Bible Study Method
Weekly Material

9:00 Service | 10:30 Service | Sermon Audio

Good morning Chapel family. We’re continuing our study on the life of David. Even though David had been anointed as the next king of Israel, and even though he had courageously killed Goliath the Philistine, he found himself fleeing for his life from a very jealous King Saul. He spent about five years on the run, living in desert caves. And the last thirteen chapters of 1 Samuel are all about what happened to him during his time in the desert. Last week we saw how his friendship with Jonathan helped him survive that period. Today we’re going to see what happens when David has a very interesting opportunity dropped right in his lap.

You might remember this: a few years ago, a woman from New York named Victoria Ruvolo was driving to her niece’s voice recital. Driving the other way was a car full of six teenagers. It was driven by a guy named Ryan Cushing, who decided to throw a 20-pound frozen turkey into oncoming traffic. The turkey smashed through Ruvolo’s windshield and crushed her face. Amazingly, she survived…but she spent ten hours in an operating room to have her face repaired, and when she went home she needed a tracheotomy tube to breathe. And I can remember hearing that story, and feeling all kinds of emotions: of course compassion for the woman, but also anger. Honestly, I think my strongest emotion was a craving for justice. I wanted this 19-year-old idiot to pay for what he did, and feel some of the suffering he had caused her. Can you relate to those feelings?

Let me make it more personal: How do you respond toward people who have mistreated you? The person who trashes your reputation behind your back? The neighbor who blasts music till 2AM when you have to get up for work at 6:00 the next morning? The bully who picks on your son at school, and he comes home crying and says he doesn’t want to go back the next day? The ex-spouse who abandoned you? The parent who physically abused you?

You know, for every one of those examples—even as I say them—there is a sense of injustice that rises up in me. I know you can relate to that. But here’s the question: what do we do with those feelings? How do we use that God-given sense of justice in a healthy and constructive way?

David knew what injustice felt like. He had been deeply wronged by Saul. And in today’s passage, he gets an opportunity to take justice into his own hands.

1 Samuel chapter 24. And rather than reading the Scripture all up front, I’m going to preserve the suspense by unpacking it as we go along.

Starting in verse 1: 1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel (notice the contrast—David has 600 misfits with him; Saul has three thousand elite solders—these are like Army Special Forces) and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. This is one of those places where the Bible is very blunt and straightforward. King Saul had to go. The Hebrew literally says, “Saul went in to cover his feet,” which is a Hebrew figure of speech that means “to relieve oneself.”

Little did Saul know… that David and his men were far back in the cave. So you have to get this picture: Saul needs a little privacy; he steps in out of the sun, into this dark cave. He probably removes

his weapons and his robe, and lays them aside. And he’s squatting in the cave. Totally vulnerable. David and his men are far back in the cave; they hear someone come in, and somebody probably goes to see who it is, and he can’t believe his eyes. It’s too good to be true! So he sneaks back to the group, and he says, “You’re not going to believe this: it’s King Saul!” “What? What’s King Saul doing in our cave?” “He’s covering his feet!” Ahhh.

Verse 4: 4 The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Now: there is no record in the Bible that God ever said that to David! But in the minds of these men, this must be from God. I mean, stuff like this doesn’t just happen! Of all the caves he could have gone into! “David, he’s all yours!”

So… Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Now—remember last week, when Saul’s son Jonathan—David’s good friend—was giving up his right to the throne? How did he symbolize that to David? He handed him…his robe. The robe clearly represents royalty. So by cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe, David was symbolically saying, “Your kingship is going to be cut off.” But the big question is: why did he stop there? Why not take this perfect opportunity to take out Saul, which would open up the throne for David? What could David possibly be thinking?

That’s what I want to talk about this morning. What does this tell us about David, and how can it help us to handle mistreatment in our lives?

Hopefully you’ve seen the movie Schindler’s List. True story about a German businessman named Oskar Schindler, who was able to rescue hundreds of Jewish people from concentration camps during the Holocaust. There’s an exchange that takes place between Oskar Schindler and the head guard at a concentration camp—the guard’s name is Amon Goeth. And Goeth is ruthless—he takes pleasure in terrorizing the prisoners. So Schindler and Goeth are talking about the subject of power. And Schindler says these words: “Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t.” Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t.

I would say David had every justification to kill, wouldn’t you? I mean, Saul was blatantly trying to kill him! And yet he didn’t. So… Was that really an act of power? Or was it cowardice? Was it foolishness? What was David thinking? Let me suggest three things.

First, David teaches us to Respect God’s Design. Look at verse 5: 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” Can you imagine David crawling back to his men, and his men saying, “Well, how did it feel? How did it feel to plunge your sword into his heart?” And David saying, “I didn’t do it.” “What do you mean, ‘you didn’t do it’?” “I didn’t do it. I cut off a piece of his robe…and I wish I hadn’t even done that.”

So even though Saul is doing a horrible job of being king, and even though David has been secretly anointed to be the next king, it’s also true that Saul is, for now, still the king. He’s the one who God has in that position. So in God’s design, it simply isn’t time for David to take Saul’s place. And David has a tremendous respect for God’s design.

Verse 7: 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. So David lets Saul walk away for a few minutes, and then he takes a risk and reveals himself—verse 8: 8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. Notice again, David’s great respect for God’s anointed.

9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, (by the way, don’t forget Saul is David’s father-in-law). See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.

This is a profound window into David’s thinking. Even though killing Saul would make so much sense pragmatically—right? I mean, it would bring stability to the country, and it would put an end to this crazy fugitive life. And even though killing Saul would satisfy that sense of justice that David certainly felt! Despite all that, David knows it would be wrongdoing…it would be rebellion…because this is God’s anointed. And in David’s thinking, God’s design is more important than anything else!

So what does that teach us about the people who mistreat us? It doesn’t mean they’re specially anointed by God in the same way Saul was. But it’s actually similar. Because no matter who that person is who did you wrong, they bears the image of God. They were designed in God’s image. They might not be acting very godly; they might not even believe God exists…but they have inherent value because they were created by God. And therefore we owe them honor.

In the New Testament, James 3:9-10 says 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Did you see James’ logic? The reason we shouldn’t curse people, is that they’ve been made in God’s likeness. And therefore they’re precious to God; they’re valuable to God.

That neighbor who blasts music at 2AM bears the image of God. I know it doesn’t seem like it. That other neighbor whose dog pees on your lawn bears the image of God. That kid who punched your son bears the image of God. The guy who threw a frozen turkey into oncoming traffic bears the image of God. And when you really let that sink in, it will change the way you treat people, even when they treat you badly. It doesn’t mean you don’t want justice to be served! It doesn’t mean you don’t want a legal system to deal with people when necessary! But it means you don’t lust for revenge. You don’t take pleasure in that person suffering; and you maintain hope that they will repent and change.

Guys—let’s be honest: David could have allowed himself to hate Saul, right? Easily! And there are probably people in your life that you could allow yourself to hate and dismiss as hopeless. Don’t dismiss them. Even as you disapprove of what they do, honor them as people.

Here’s the second thing: David teaches us to Rely on God’s Justice. Let’s keep going in verse 12—David continues his speech to Saul: 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. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”

Just because David is refusing to take justice into his own hands doesn’t mean he isn’t interested in justice. He is interested in justice! And he knows that he serves a God of justice! And because he’s so convinced of that, listen: he’s content to leave justice in God’s hands. Verse 12: “may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.”

The New Testament reiterates this same concept. Look at Romans 12:19-21…Do not take revenge, my dear friends… because God doesn’t really care about justice. Is that what it says? No! What does it say? 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

See, David is convinced that if there’s any vengeance to be done, God can take care of it far better than he can.

Do you believe that? Because if not, here’s my warning: you will be more likely to be a violent person. Let me say that again: if you don’t believe that God will bring justice, you’ll probably be a violent person. Maybe not externally violent, but there will be violence in your soul.

Miroslav Volf is a Yale theologian who grew up in Croatia, where he witnessed all kinds of injustice. And Volf believes the only way to stop the cycle of violence is through non-violent means. Listen to how Tim Keller summarizes Volf’s thinking:

The human impulse to make perpetrators of violence pay for their crimes is almost an overwhelming one. It cannot possibly be overcome with platitudes like “Now don’t you see that violence won’t solve anything?” If you have seen your home burned down and your relatives killed and raped, such talk is laughable—and it shows no real concern for justice. Yet victims of violence are drawn to go far beyond justice into…vengeance… They are pulled inexorably into an endless cycle of vengeance, of strikes and counterstrikes nurtured and justified by the memory of terrible wrongs.

Can our passion for justice be honored in a way that does not nurture our desire for blood vengeance? Volf says the best resource for this is belief in the concept of God’s divine justice. If I don’t believe that there is a God who will eventually put all things right, I will take up the sword and will be sucked into the endless vortex of retaliation. Only if I am sure that there’s a God who will right all wrongs…do I have the power to refrain.

That is so powerful. Listen: if you don’t believe there’s a God who will one day make things right, you will more likely be a violent person. There will be no peace in your soul.

David is convinced that if there’s any vengeance to be done, God can and will take care of it. And if you believe that, it takes a lot of pressure off you! You don’t have to be the avenger! You don’t have to carry around a record of wrongs so you can get even! And that releases you to love people that are difficult to love.

So when you’re mistreated, respect God’s image, rely on God’s justice…

And then finally: David teaches us to Expect God’s Blessing. Pick up the story in verse 16: 16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. I think those are genuine tears. These are the tears of a man who’s facing the failure and the emptiness of his life. He’s confronted with the character of David, and he realizes his own moral bankruptcy. That doesn’t mean he’s necessarily going to repent, or make any changes, but he’s a miserable man. So he weeps!

Verse 17: 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into

your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.

Those last words are prophetic, aren’t they? Because God does reward David! And David does become king! And the kingdom of Israel is established in his hands! And then the last two verses—Saul says, 21 Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.” 22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Think about how ironic this is: Saul is the king; David’s the fugitive. Saul has 3,000 elite soldiers; David has 600 riffraff. Outnumbered 5 to 1. And yet, at this moment, who has all the power? David does. Saul is the one begging for mercy from David, and David is in the position to grant that mercy. David has all the power! See, Oskar Schindler was right: “Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t.” And when that decision to be merciful comes from our relationship with God, it is the deepest kind of power.

So David expects the blessing of God…and even Saul acknowledges, “David, you will be blessed.”

Again, the New Testament echoes this truth. Look at 1 Peter 3:9…Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may...what? …inherit a blessing. David returned evil with blessing, and one day he would inherit a blessing. If you follow that path, you will inherit a blessing. Expect it! I’m not saying you’ll be rich and famous, like David was. But when you rise above the mistreatment in your life, and you refuse to be a person of anger and vengeance, expect to be blessed. God will honor you.

There’s a question that David asked Saul, that we need to ask ourselves. When David steps out of the cave, look at the first thing he says to Saul (and I’m going to read out of the New American Standard version, because it really brings this out). This is verse 9. David says: “Why do you listen to the words of men?” Saul, why are you listening to the people who are saying that I’m out to get you? David is probably thinking, “I could have listened to the words of men, also. There were some men back in that cave, telling me to kill you. And the reason you’re not dead is because I didn’t listen to them.” Why do you listen to the words of men? Saul, haven’t you learned to listen to a higher voice?

As you think about the mistreatment you’ve received, I need to ask you the same question: Why do you listen to the words of men? Why do you listen to the angry voices who tell you to walk around carrying grudges? Why do you listen to voices that tell you to define yourself as a victim? Why do you listen to the pride and ego in your own head, that whispers to you, “Are you going to let him treat you like that?” Today, would you decide to listen to a higher voice? Because he’s speaking through the Word, and he’s calling you away from your anger, into a life of peaceful trust. Whatever mistreatment you’ve received, God knows it…and he’s got you covered.

So David is a great model of how we can rise above the mistreatment in our lives. But here’s the thing: there’s an even better model. Because the ultimate mistreatment took place 1,000 years after this, on a criminal’s cross. Look what Peter wrote—1 Peter 2:23…When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He even prayed, “Father, forgive them—for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

See, power is when you have every justification to kill, and you don’t. Doesn’t that describe Jesus perfectly? He had every justification to kill, and yet he didn’t. In fact, he let himself be killed. And on

the third day he rose again, with all the power in the universe. And one day, he will return and bring justice for every wrong that’s been done. In the meantime, he calls us to trust him, and walk in mercy.

So after the frozen turkey incident, Victoria Ruvolo spent a long time doing painful therapy to recover from her injuries. Ryan Cushing, the driver, was convicted. And when it came time for his sentencing, Ruvolo—the victim—chose to show up, and she chose to speak directly to Cushing. I want to read you a portion of what she said:

"Despite all the fear and the pain, I have learned from this horrific experience, and I have much to be thankful for…. Each day when I wake up, I thank God simply because I'm alive. I sincerely hope you have also learned from this awful experience, Ryan. There is no room for vengeance in my life, and I do not believe a long, hard prison term would do you, me, or society any good."

Cushing wept; he expressed deep remorse. The sentence could have been twenty-five years in prison, but largely because of Ruvolo’s plea for leniency, the judge gave him six months. At the end, Ruvolo had one more thing to say:

"I truly hope that by demonstrating compassion and leniency I have encouraged you to seek an honorable life. If my generosity will help you mature into a responsible, honest man whose graciousness is a source of pride to your loved ones and your community, then I will be truly gratified, and my suffering will not have been in vain… Ryan, prove me right."

That leaves me almost speechless. Because I’m telling you: that was a woman with power. And that was a woman who was blessed, because when you extend mercy, you should expect a blessing…and she walked out of that courtroom blessed. She wasn’t weighed down with the burden of hatred, and she could move forward with her life. That’s blessing.

If you’ve been carrying around a lot of anger; if you’ve been craving vengeance on the people who’ve hurt you, it’s time to lay all that down at the cross. It’s a powerful thing to do. And you will be blessed.