Forgiving Those Who Have Wronged Us
1 Samuel 24:7 says, “So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.”
King Saul and his men were in pursuit of David “to seek his life” (1 Sam 23:15). When Saul camped inside a cave in Engedi (v. 3), David had an opportunity to kill him. Instead, he just “cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily” (v. 4). Because he still respected Saul as the anointed king “over Israel” (1 Sam 15:1). After Saul and his men left the cave, David follows him to set the record straight. By humbling himself and honoring Saul (v. 8), David took the first step in following the clear biblical principles on how we should respond when we are wronged by others (Ps 34:18).
David told Saul the truth about what really happened inside the cave (v. 10), and he even declared his own guilt (v. 11). David was committed to doing what is right (v. 13). So, he placed himself before the Lord to be his judge (v. 15)! David’s initiative toward Saul ought to remind us how bible-believing Christians should respond in times when others are trying to hurt us (Ps 7:1). In the same manner, we don’t have to wait for the offending person to make the first step in getting things settled (Mt 18:15). We are commanded that “ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness” (Gal 6:1).
We must get rid of all our pride (Php 2:3), by confessing our own guilt in the situation and extending absolute forgiveness to the person who have offended us (Eph 4:32). Genuine forgiveness is coming to the place where we must trust the offending person once again. We should not allow the hurts and pains that others have done to ruin our lives. We need to remember that one day, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor 5:10). Therefore, we must be committed to do what is right, regardless of what others may do! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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