Reading
SAA Notes
The Christ of God’s choice never uses murder to gain or sustain power. David’s lament is published to proclaim this fact about David, as well as express his real grief. Saul died at the Lord’s hands, not his. David executes justice for Saul on his proclaimed murderer.
SJA Notes
* Holy God, how long is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile Your Name forever?
“And David said to him, ‘Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, “I have killed the LORD’s anointed.”‘”
We have seen over and over David’s rock-solid trust in God’s sovereignty. Both in taking care of David, and in dealing with Saul.
David trusted in the operating of God’s hand at work, better by far than his own, to take care of what was happening.
This was not just head knowledge for David. Even as a strong conviction, David FELT.
His grieving for both Saul and Jonathan in the song is clear and evident.
David’s strong grasp of what it meant that the Lord anointed someone, the prince of Israel, meant that their death brought much sorrow.
Even when that person had repeatedly tried to kill him.
Do we have such a trust as David did, in God’s sovereignty at work for His people?
Even when God’s people themselves might be mistreating us.
Even when we suffer ridicule and rejection and worse from brothers and sisters in the church.
Do we hold to the same trust with a conviction such as David displays here?
Deeper still, we see the choice of Jesus on a far bigger and terrible scale, a cup that dwarfed even what David went through.
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Are we following our King in this?
* Holy God,
Yours is the glory. Not ours.
Your will be done. Not ours.
Please help us to be humble, having a contrite spirit and a reverent fear so that we tremble at Your word – the things You look for.
Amen.