Mercy
by Faye Schmidt
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When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today (1 Samuel 24:19).
Read 1 Samuel 24:1–22
‘I’ll give her a piece of my mind!’
‘It’s okay, no-one will ever know.’
‘This comment will really get them good.’
Thoughts of revenge, rationalisation or anger sound familiar? When we feel wronged or hurt, it does seem as though retaliating will make us feel better. We believe we are entitled to the last word. But even when wronged, God asks that we respond in a manner that shows we are different, in a way that brings glory to him.
God wants us to resist the urge to retaliate.
Saul was once close to David, but he eventually became jealous of David’s popularity with the people of Israel. Saul saw this popularity as a threat, and his jealousy grew into fear, so much so that he searched desperately for David in order to kill him. Eventually, Saul was delivered into David’s hands. With Saul in a vulnerable position and his men goading him on, David chose to exercise restraint, surrender to God and refrain from retaliating against Saul.
Society’s pressures often lead to compromised morals and the rationalisation that revenge will make us feel better. When we think our ‘enemy’ has been delivered into our hands, and we desperately want to right a wrong, God wants us to resist the urge to retaliate. Even though we were undeserving, God showed us grace and mercy. Doing the same will change our lives and the lives of our ‘enemies’. ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8).
O Holy Spirit, so that I may not cause offence or hurt:
keep me chaste in thought;
keep me temperate and truthful in speech;
keep me faithful and diligent in my work;
keep me humble in my estimation of myself;
keep me honourable and generous in my dealings with others;
keep me mindful of my eternal destiny as your child.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
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