It is interesting how we react when we experience a major problem in our life, whether for the first time or we have experienced it before. We can react in so many ways, depending on how we feel at the time. While this may be true, there is an overriding fact that we cannot escape, and that is our relationship with the Lord. It is essential that our relationship with the Lord is fresh and real and a vital part of our day-to-day living. This is an area I have struggled with since my major operation; I am experiencing something that I have never experienced before. It took a couple of weeks of feeling in the wilderness before I was able to press into the Lord and enjoy His presence. David kept his relationship with his God real even though he was being chased by Saul for the first time and his life was in danger. The first thing David did was declare that his trust was in the Lord; he did not try to work things out for himself, which would have led to defeat because of pride.

Now we come to an interesting attitude of David in Verse 11, where he declares:

As we look at this verse, we look at the attitude of David, which is hard to understand, despite the fact that his life was in danger because of the righteous way that he lived. This is a very strange request; although people were trying to kill him, he wanted the people to know that, despite his circumstances, God would protect him. He desired them to be impacted by his God, but not destroyed. There would be no place for repentance in their lives, but if they were scattered, there they had the opportunity to repent and put things right in their lives with God.

As I reflect on David’s attitude, I realise how easy it is to want revenge when we have been treated wrongly. But the Bible teaches us to forgive those people who have treated us badly. Forgiveness strengthens your character and gives your life a God-like attitude. Verse 12 says:

When we are attacked by people, we do not know the extent of the damage caused by their false speech. This is why it is so important to solve the problem in a Godly way. Because we do not know the extent or the reason why we have been treated so unfairly and attacked.

When we forgive people, we allow God to solve the problem  His way and restore people to Himself.  While I may have a temporary feeling of satisfaction when my ego is satisfied. It does not bring satisfaction to everyone involved. It is so important to act righteously in all situations, whether we fully understand it and its implications or not. The greatest pleasure we find is living with Jesus in all aspects of our lives.