Follow the Leader

David had an opportunity to kill Saul, in 1 Samuel 24, but God touched David’s heart to not kill him.  After he spared his life, David explained to Saul that he had been nothing but loyal to him, and that he would still be loyal to him.  Saul, after hearing David’s words, called him righteous.  He told David that he would someday be king, and wished him greatness and success.

Respect for authority is something that doesn’t always come easy… especially when that authority is not obedient.  It’s most difficult to respect authority when that person is trying to bring you down.  But where do we find David in this passage?  Bowed down with his face to the ground!  He could have been on top of him, and finished him off with his sword.  But instead, he recognized Saul as his master, and anointed by God.

What is our posture to authority like?  Do we give the same respect as David did?  What about in situations where the authority is wrong?  Do we say bad words about that person and treat them less than respectful?  Or do we still respect that person as God’s anointed child and leader?  Notice that David didn’t agree with Saul.  In fact, he showed Saul what he had done wrong.  But David never forgot Saul’s position as authority.

Give me the humility of David, Lord, to know who my authority is, and to respect those people as David did.  Amen.