High Road

Read Psalm 122

Read 1 Samuel 24

The kingdom will soon be taken from Saul and given to David. Though it was Saul's own fault, and though David had done nothing deserving of death, Saul was hellbent on killing him.

David has an opportunity to kill Saul. David and his men are hiding in a cave, and Saul comes in to "relieve himself," that is, to go to the bathroom, so to speak. The desire for privacy left Saul completely unprotected. I guess he didn't expect that the man he was hunting was right under his nose, even in the very cave.

David sneaks up and cuts the corner of Saul's robe. (Had Saul taken the robe off and laid it aside?) You might guess that David's men urged him to kill Saul, but of course he doesn't.

Later David would quote a proverb of the day, "Out of the wicked comes wickedness." He knew it was not for him to kill the one the Lord had established as King. It was the Lord who established him and it would be the Lord who would remove him. David knew that to kill Saul would be a wicked thing, and it was not for a righteous man (David) to do wicked.

We have a proverb in our day too, a saying that helps remind us how to act. It's, "Take the high road." It is easy to retaliate. It is easy to take advantage. It is easy to act in one's own best interest. It is easy to climb on the backs of the weak in order to reach the top. It is easy to act wickedly, but it is hard to take the high road.

Today we are encouraged to take the high road like David, who was a righteous man, a man after God's own heart. So by the strength of the Spirit, let us do what is right, turn the other cheek, serve others, turn away wrath with a kind word, and take the high road.

And let us remember that David foreshadows the One who would take the ultimate high road: Jesus. Yes, Jesus always took the high road and acted always for others, in their best interest, with true, genuine love for them. Even a rebuke from Jesus was meant for their good. And his Good News heals all wounds! Jesus took the high road, always doing what was right, even walking the high road up Mount Calvary. There he allowed himself to be crucified that we might have life. The sinless one dies for the sinners. Now that's the high road!

There you have it: forgiveness for the times you took the low road, strength for taking the high road today, and the promise that because Jesus took the high road, we who are in him will also make it to heaven. Thanks be to God!

Pray:

You know your struggles, and how difficult it is to take the high road in whatever your life situation might be. Pray about that today. Ask God for strength, wisdom, courage, and the ability to live a God pleasing life.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!