Friday, September 23, 2016

Respecting Personal Space...


When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
(1 Samuel 24:1-7 ESV)
David was getting tired of running from Saul, who wanted to kill him. As it would happen, he ends up in the same "bathroom" as Saul, who is most vulnerable to attack. David has his chance to end it all, but instead he respects Saul's personal space; he refuses to violate the respect Saul is due as King, and even feels a tinge of guilt for the small invasion he does do in cutting his robe. Most importantly, David is reverencing God's design.  Not only does this all apply to the "bathroom bill" controversy raging in our country - don't mess with God's design! It also speaks volumes about our respect for others, especially those in authority, and our reverence for the sovereignty of God.  Who of us is worthy to take the rule of the world in our own hands?  I don't think so.

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