The Staggering Burden

I've been preaching through Saul's chase of David and here are a couple of quick things I've been learning:

I Samuel 23:1 "When David was told, "look the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," he inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?"

When we are under the oppression of a Saul in our life, it is tempting to curl up in a cave and wait for the storm to pass. David still had the heart of an intercessor, the heart of a king. While on the run, he felt for the hurting, for those under attack. Don't lose your heart for the weak when you are under personal attack.

I Samuel 24:2 "So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats."

As Israel was suffering the effects of Philistine oppression, he took a large force, the best of the best, and chased after David. Beware of using your best resources to chase your personal agendas while the kingdom falls apart around you.

I Samuel 25:30,31 When the Lord has done for my master every good thing He promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself."

This is the passage when Abigail comes to David and intercedes on behalf of her husband Nabal, trying to convince him not to bring his violent wrath upon her family. In her plea, she speaks deep wisdom, the wisdom that we often attribute to the New Testament way of peace and non-violence. She speaks as Christ would speak, removing our hand from striking our enemies and allowing God to move in His way. Her words hit hard - she talks of the "staggering burden" of violence and taking vengeance into our own hands. She is the ultimate intercessor - a Christ-like figure. And she's an Old Testament woman! The way of God is peace, it always has been. When we pursue violent means to bring self-justification, we place "staggering burdens" upon ourselves. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus relieving us of this and placing it on Himself.