{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"David and the Heart of God - Week 5: Revenge?","description":"Scripture: 1 Samuel 24, Matthew 7:20, Numbers 15:37-39, Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35, Leviticus 19:18, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:28, Romans 12:20, Proverbs 25:21-22, Romans 12:21. Today\u2019s class is entitled, \u201cRevenge\u201d and Pastor will compare worldly wisdom with biblical wisdom on the topic of revenge.  As we read chapter 24 of 1 Samuel, we read that David is now in en Gedi and Saul has found out and is headed along with 3000 men to en Gedi to find David. En Gedi is a wilderness area but it has several springs and many caves for hiding. As the story continues, Saul went into one of these caves to relieve himself. Unbeknownst to Saul, David and his men were further back into the cave hiding. David's men prompted David that this was his chance, his opportunity to put an end to the hiding by killing Saul. But instead David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul\u2019s robe. This is action is prophetic. The Hebrew word that is used for \u201ccorner\u201d is kanaf. It refers the corners of a Hebrew robe or prayer shawl. The scriptures were particular about what was to be on the corners of those robes. Numbers 15:37-39 \u201c\u2026make tassels on the corners of your garments\u2026.you will have these tassels to look at\u2026 to remember all the commands of the Lord that you may obey them \u2026\u201d  And David cuts off a corner tassel. The tassel, was to remind Saul to walk in God\u2019s path rather than his own path, to walk in God\u2019s will and not his own will. The tassel was to say pursue peace, be honorable, be faithful, walk by faith. Saul had abandoned those things and when David cut it off it was a prophetic act showing Saul's wandering from God's will. Next we read that David\u2019s conscience convicted him for cutting off the corner of Saul\u2019s robe. He tells his men that he shouldn\u2019t have done that to the Lord\u2019s anointed king, Saul. David\u2019s men encourage revenge but David stands strong saying that it would be contrary to God\u2019s plan and will. David rebukes the men and doesn\u2019t allow them to attack Saul. Instead David exits the cave calling to Saul and bowing down he says, \u201cWhy do you listen when they say David is bent on harming you. This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I will not lay my hand on my Lord because you are the Lord\u2019s anointed. See this tassel of your robe in my hand, yet I did not kill you, but you hunt me down to take my life.\u201d David holds Saul accountable even as he shows the heart and grace of God to Saul. We see that the activities of a person are a window into his heart and if we seek revenge we are going contrary to the heart of God. We can deal with unjust treatment and  still refuse revenge while still holding the individual accountable. Saul wept at David\u2019s words saying, \u201cYou are more righteous than I. You have treated me well but I have treated you badly.\u201d What does God say about revenge?         -         Romans 12:19 - revenge is the Lord\u2019s - God is the righteous judge and he will judge in the end Resisting Revenge         -         Love your enemy Leviticus 19:18         -         Forgive your enemy Mark 11:25 (this doesn\u2019t mean we approve of what they have done, it does mean we let go of the bitterness, anger and desire for revenge.)         -         Pray for your enemy Luke 6:28         -         Feed your enemy Romans 12:20 as this can draw them into repentance before God. Pastor ends with Romans 12:21: \u201cDo not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.\u201d This is how we are called to act. That\u2019s what we see in David and that is what we see in the heart of God. Now What? Learn about God at https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. ","author_name":"Awake Us Now","author_url":"https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/","html":"