Honor God even when it hurts

by Pastor Gideon Lee

Big idea:
God puts in place authority for our good

Recognise God's loving intent behind the authority

Act righteously even when it's difficult

# Recognise authority even when in doubt

1 Samuel 24:3-7
He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[a] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 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.” 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.


# David's refusal to murder Saul was because he recognised the lord as higher authority

1 Samuel 18:12
Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.


1 Samuel 18:15
When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.


It's seems good that David should cut off the robe of Saul,
- From military point is good
- From personal point is good
- What about from God's point?

# David's men could not, would not, recognise Saul as king

David recognise Yahweh, and David men also recognise Yahweh

1 Samuel 24:4
The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[a] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.


1 Samuel 24:6
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.”


# David recognised King Saul's authority because the lord was the one who established it

David should not be the one to deal with Saul but leave it to God alone

1. Unpopular decision against majority
2. Additional challenges to deal with David men
3. Allow Saul to live another day meant another opportunity to strike David again

David knows to Harm Saul is defying God

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”


above verse is referring to Saul kingdom

# David's obedience to God governed his heart and moral compass

Pressure and persecution can be a temptation to compromise especially if it cause us our livelihood or our lives. We justifies or rationalise in compromising our obedience to God. However, this will damage relationship to people around us or our relationship to God.

Be Patience, loving and just towards the undeserved.

God is the ultimate authority, therefore, we can trust his purpose for establishing the various authority over us

# Honor authority even when it hurts

1 Samuel 24:8
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.


1 Samuel 24:15-19
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.” 16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 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.


# A deliberate choice of respectful address from a position of humility

# A peaceful intention for reconciliation and not revenge


# David compel us to God's higher standard beyond our own

Saul compelled eye for eye, tooth for tooth

Honouring saul did not meant David condon Saul wrongdoings

He chose to rise up and get up from the cave

David have faith the Yahweh will vindicate him

1 Samuel 24:15
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.”


The innermost part of cave is dark, unknown, cold, depressing or even dangerous or even carry out deeds in secret. We don't want to remain inside for a long time. David chose to honour Saul even in the dark cave

1 Samuel 24:16
When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud.


1 Samuel 24:19
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.


# God used David as his instrument for reconciliation

Even painful or undeserved:
1. respectful language and tone
2. adopt a posture of humility
3. trust in God's justice

This helps us be peacemaker, to seek reconciliation not revenge

God is a deliverer

More people more like Jesus

Will I choose my right and dishonour (the name of that someone)?

Seek God's guidance in a manner that's respectful and honour. God establish authority. We need to choose to recognise that God instituted authority for our good, we need to response from our hearts, learn to trust in God's plans.