He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. 1 Samuel 24:3-7
It’s easy to give honor to the honorable. But what about the dishonorable?
What about the boss at work who is a jerk?
What about the family member that is difficult to deal with?
What about the co-worker who has responded to you in a questionable manner?
What do you do then? The answer is simple, however the follow-through is anything but simplistic:
You HONOR!
I doubt any of us have had a king who has called 3000 men to hunt us down and kill us. This was the situation David was facing. His best friend’s dad–the man he worked for–was now bent on killing him.
And David now had a great opportunity to take Saul out. He had motive, opportunity, and even the support of his men. BUT David had a heart of honor. David knew that honor was not about someone else’s conduct, but about his character. So he honored King Saul even though Saul was a dishonorable man.
Who have you excused yourself from honoring in your life because of their conduct–whether they be above you, beside you, or beneath you? Do you have a name? Can you see his or her face in your mind?
Now determine to find a way to rise above and show honor to that person . . .because honor is not based on another person’s conduct, but on your character.
This is very true, Pastor Daniel. I’ve been struggling lately with this very issue. We, as Christians, cannot control someone else’s behavior. On the other hand, we can certainly control our own. By behaving honorably, we honor and glorify Jesus Christ.
I have been trying to find the courage to call my father for several months. He abandoned us when I was 5 years old. He had a succesful life and career as a home builder while I lived with my single, unemployed mother, and two sisters in a rough neighborhood in a major US city. He kept in touch and visited sometimes, and would send support here and there though sometimes it felt like we had to beg for it. I struggled being the only “man” in the house and finally came into my own in my early twenties. Now, I am married and have a child, and I have been very angry at him since I now understand the responsibility it is to be a father. He has been in trouble with the law over the last few years and has been sued left and right by former clients, and now that he is broke, living in his fathers house and unemployed, he has asked me for money on many occasions. This made me especially angry and I have not spoken to him in 6 months. How could you ask from your son what should be used for your only grandchild’s well being, because you failed to manage your wealth? Even more so when you left your own children to suffer, struggle and go hungry during your times of success? I have struggled with this for many months because I know that I should not be this way towards him but I justify my actions considering his absence in my life. I cannot do this any longer and your blog has given me the push that I need to finally speak to my father. Thank you.
Timely word again. Uncanny how the Lord speaks at the right time. Keep preaching.
Thank you – glad to help!