"Oooooh Girl, Don't Go in There!" (1 Samuel 24)

In my college days at Texas Southern University, a predominantly black university, I had some close friends with whom I would go to the movies on the weekend. Have you ever been in a theater in the black community? It's awesome! The first time I went with my buddies I was more entertained by the audience than the movie. Seeing a movie in a black theater is more of an interactive event. The best dialogue is likely to come from the seats than the screen. And horror movies are THE BEST! Inevitably, in every good horror movie, there is that moment where the stupid white girl hears some noise in the basement or attic and feels some compulsion to go explore it. And when that happens...wow...the theater erupts with "Girl, get your butt out a dodge, honey!" or "Oooooo girl, don't go in there!" or "If that was a black person, all you'd see is the bottoms of they shoes, girl!" or "They have to get a white actress for that scene, 'cause ain't no black person crazy enough to go in there!" And, unfortunately, that white girl never heeds the warnings. And you know the rest of the story. How does this relate to 1 Samuel 24? Well, I think the lesson that me and the white girl need to learn is just because a door creeks open doesn't mean it's wise to walk through it.

Look at David. Saul is back from defending Israel against the Philistines and has resumed his hunt. And Saul falls right into David's lap. And I believe this was no accident. This was a test from God. Saul and his men were probably passed out cold from a night of heavy drinking. David's men found Saul and ran to David and insisted this was God's providence to deliver Saul into David's hands. This was the moment to exact his vengeance! David had justice on his side, right? Saul was out to kill him. David could end this once and for all. He could stop running. His kingdom could begin. Afterall, he was anointed by Samuel to be king, right? All these rational reasons to kill Saul in his sleep and what does David do? He cuts off a piece of Saul's robe and walks away. What an act of forgiveness! What a showing of trust in God and HIS timing! Unlike Chapter 23, David had no clear directive from God. But David could have easily interpreted this opportunity, this open door, as a sign of God's will. However, David is growing. He's learned what can happen when we follow our own devices. David still honored Saul as God's anointed king. He would not take the throne by force without God's command. David was willing to wait on the Lord.

Sometimes we as Christians misinterpret an open door or opportunity as God's will/direction. When that new business deal, chance to relocate, or chance to get justice presents itself we often don't even hesitate thinking that it must be God or why would this opportunity look so good. I'm sure a sleeping Saul looked awful tempting to David. At first glance it certainly appeared God was delivering Saul on a platter for David's taking. But Deut. 32:35-36 probably came to David's mind at that moment that says, "Vengeance is mine and retribution, in due time their foot will slip because their day of disaster is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them. For the Lord will vindicate His people..." David heeded the word of God, as should we. David later wrote in Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." It was a good thing that David had spent many a day meditating on God's word. Because at that critical moment in history, God's word gave him all the direction he needed.

Prayer: God, I thank you for Your word. How marvelous are Your statutes! May I meditate on them daily that I might not sin against thee at that critical moment in my life.