Grace in the Desert: from 1 Samuel 24 -26.

This story sublimely illustrates a line from the Lord’s prayer:  “and forgive us our sins,  as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” (Matt 6:12 NLT.) The path to the meadow of our own forgiveness lies over the bridge of us forgiving.

In a tumultuous encounter between Saul and David, the latter seeks refuge in the unforgiving desert, surrounded by loyalists and relentless pursuers. Amidst scorching sunrays and treacherous creatures, a profound lesson in grace unfolds in two dramatic scenes from the life of David that challenge us to give mercy to those who bring only grief.

In the first scene, Saul with an entourage of 3,000 soldiers unsuspectingly enters a cave near the Dead Sea with a view to relieving himself. His eyes were blinded by the desert light, and he did not notice David’s men pressed against the wall. The air is thick with tension as David’s followers contemplate ending Saul’s tyrannical reign with a single dagger thrust. However, David, against their expectations, merely cuts a corner from Saul’s robe. As Saul exits the cave unaware of the peril he escaped, David’s regret surfaces. His conscience, shaped by a God-centred mindset, compels him to refrain from harming the anointed king.

The second scene unfolds later, with Saul once again in pursuit of David. In a daring nocturnal mission, David and a companion approach the sleeping Saul in his camp surrounded by his army. The soldier urges David to seize the opportunity for revenge, but David, steadfast in his commitment to grace, opts to take Saul’s spear and water jug instead. From a safe distance, he awakens Saul, declaring that he spared the king’s life as an act of trust in God’s judgment.

David’s actions prompt reflection on our response to those who inflict pain in our lives. It’s easy to extend grace to friends, but what about those who persistently bring us grief? The narrative challenges us to consider whether we could emulate David’s merciful response, sparing our metaphorical Sauls.

The narrative delves into the complexity of forgiveness, acknowledging that forgiving one-time offenders is manageable. Parking-place takers, date breakers, and purse snatchers can be overlooked. However, when faced with repeat offenders who rob us of significant aspects of life, the challenge intensifies. The narrative raises a poignant question: if given the chance to confront those who have hurt us deeply, could we forgive them as David forgave Saul? There was a time in my life when I struggled with this on a personal level.

Vengeance fixates our attention on life’s ugliest moments, leading to the destruction of the one seeking revenge. Harbouring grudges, rehearsing hurts, and settling scores do not contribute to personal growth; rather, they threaten to consume and destroy. “Resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.” (Job 5:2 NLT). “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.’” (Rom. 12:19 NLT).

David’s example reinforces the concept that vengeance belongs to the divine realm. He consistently refers to Saul as “the Lord’s anointed,” refusing to view him as an enemy but rather as a child of God. This perspective leads David to see his enemies not as failures but as ongoing projects in God’s plan. The narrative encourages adopting a similar outlook, acknowledging that our enemies, too, remain within the reach of God’s grace.

The story confronts the temptation to take matters into our own hands, emphasizing that revenge removes God from the equation. It underscores the futility of vigilante justice and echoes the apostle Paul’s exhortation to leave vengeance to the righteous anger of God. Drawing parallels with Jesus, who did not retaliate when insulted but entrusted himself to God’s fair judgment, the narrative emphasizes that only God can dispense perfect justice.

Forgiveness, does not excuse or pretend. David did not ignore Saul’s sin but chose to address it directly while maintaining a safe distance. The call to forgive abusive individuals does not necessitate living with them, and forgiveness does not equate to foolishness. Rather, forgiveness is portrayed as a conscious choice to see the offender with different eyes, transmitting thoughts about them through a heavenly perspective.

A poignant example of forgiveness is presented through the struggles of Moravian missionaries attempting to convey the concept to Eskimos. The missionaries settled on a cumbersome term, literally translated as “not being able to think about it anymore,” encapsulating the essence of forgiveness as moving on and no longer dwelling on the offense.

This Old Testament story is a powerful reminder that as recipients of grace, we are called to give grace. Drawing a parallel to Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant who had been forgiven a huge debt but wouldn’t forgive someone who owed him a fraction, it underscores the importance of extending mercy to others, as we have received mercy ourselves. The narrative challenges us to emulate David’s remarkable response to grief-givers, acknowledging that forgiveness is a journey that deepens as we draw from the well of God’s mercy.