22nd April 2026

22nd April 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 Samuel 24 focus v8-15)


Message (Alan Burke)




You’ve maybe sailed through your life and never been hurt, never been treated badly, passed over for a promotion, never been bullied at school, never had someone from work who was a constant eejit towards you, or many of the other examples I could think of, but more than likely you’ve experienced something at some point in your life at the hands of others that has left you hurt. That hurt may still be something you relive years later. Sometimes that hurt is added to, like compound interest, it just keeps adding to that initial hurt that you experienced. Well, if you had the chance to see that they got a taste of their own medicine, you would revel in it. Or if they get their comeuppance at the hands of someone else, we might say to the world “that’s awful,” but inwardly we’re thinking they deserved it for what they did to me. 


Bother and sister, that is not the way that we should be. We should remember to look to our saviour and forgive as we have been forgiven. That is what we pray in the Lord’s prayer (Mt 6:12). The reason why I start like this today is because we see David being conscience-stricken having cut the corner of Saul’s robe. Yes, he had figuratively taken the kingdom from Saul, and he had to persuade his men not to kill Saul. We’d may have been like David’s men wanting to put Saul to death for what he had done, but David knew the Lord’s way, and it is not our way. He could have killed Saul that day, instructed his men to kill him, but he did not. David knew that opportunity doesn’t mean that it is right to take it. David then goes out of the cave holding the corner of Saul’s robe. On a different day with a different person, it would have been Saul’s head held high, but David showed reverence and respect for a man who has hunted him, that we might think didn’t deserve it. He said to Saul, “My lord, the king!”


David then confronted Saul about how he had listened to the voices of his men when David chose to ignore his and instead of doing evil, spared Saul even though the LORD had given him into his hands. His actions testified to the truth of his character; he showed mercy, relieving his innocence, faithfulness, kindness, and grace. He had demonstrated that he would leave it to the LORD to decide between the two. For David knew that was not the appointed Judge of Saul; he would not pass judgement on Saul and what he had done. We might all think that David would have been justified to kill Saul and carry his head out to his men, thinking he deserved everything he got from David, but the LORD had not appointed David as Saul’s executioner. 


The LORD would judge, and David, amidst all that took place, entrusted himself to the LORD. He was confident that the LORD would have the final say. David understood the words of the LORD in Deuteronomy 32:35-36: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Likewise, we must understand, as Paul wrote, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” 


Today, we have a justice system to hold people to account, and it is right and appropriate that people face earthly justice, but the LORD is the one who has the final say in all matters, and we are to leave vengeance to Him. One day, all will be judged. It was not David’s place nor is it ours to take vengeance but the Lord’s. David had confidence in the LORD and His plan for him. He knew it wouldn’t happen in his own doing but only in the LORD’s. David is willing to wait rather than grasp at the Lord’s gift. And we too must have that confidence that, even though we may not know why, we know that ultimately God is working His ultimate purpose out. There will be a day that all are held to account by the just judge Jesus Christ. All who have confessed will be saved, and we who have been saved are called to look to our LORD in all things, not being conformed to this world but being transformed by the renewal of our minds, that by testing we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect will (Rom 12:2)


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q48 What are we specially taught by these words, before me,” in the first commandment?
A. These words, before me,” in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.