The relationship between King Saul and David was complicated. At one point Saul was out hunting David to kill him. David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but decided that was not the right thing to do. Saul’s move was toward violence. David’s move was toward peace.
David stopped and reflected, “What am I doing? This is not right.” Stopping and reflecting, perhaps a lesson for all of us, when we feel moved by anger or other negative emotions–stopping and reflecting on what to do; engaging our higher moral judgment.
For some reason, we are easily drawn to desires for revenge. When someone wrongs us, our more primitive selves desire payback, as we let anger rule our reactions. This sense of revenge is corrosive to the human spirit and makes pursuit of peace so difficult–certainly on the world stage, as nations and groups around the world exchange violent actions in a seemingly ceaseless fashion.
It’s hard to forgive, but that’s what we are called to as Christians and people of faith. Jesus preached forgiveness and lived forgiveness. He preached peace and lived peacefully, even when he was attacked verbally and, at the end, physically, by those who opposed him and his message. May God make us ambassadors of healing and peace.
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
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Such a timely message, but then I guess it’s always relevant, isn’t it? We seem to be people of war. Sad.
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