For years Saul continued to chase David in an attempt to kill him. Time after time David was given the opportunity to retaliate and end Saul’s life but he refused. David saw value in Saul’s life by looking at him through the eyes of God instead of through his own victim eyes. He showed no signs of hatred or vengeance towards Saul but instead pleaded with him time after time to see his heart – to see that he loved the king and would be loyal to him.

“Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king – he is the Lord’s anointed one’” (1 Samuel 24:10b).

David’s men encouraged him to take advantage of these opportunities by killing Saul, but David was looking to God for his reward, not for the praise of men. “The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord’s anointed one. Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles” (26:23-24).

Because of Saul’s jealousy, David was forced to live among the Philistines – who also rejected him. He tried to join their army, but they sent David and his men back home because they were foreigners and the rulers did not trust them. When David and his men returned to their home, it had been destroyed and their families captured. His men wept and became bitter, but David “found strength in the Lord his God” (30:6). God was faithful and gave David and his men victory over those who had raided their homes, and they were reunited with their family members receiving back all of their possessions and more.

So what can I find in my morning coffee to energize me spiritually today? To value life as God values life, and to trust God with all He has given me, finding my strength in God and God alone. There may be times when we suffer due to the choices of others. There may be times when we would be justified in our retaliation or anger. But my soul will not find rest in hatred or self-pity. It will find rest in God alone. God is God and if we truly trust Him, we will leave justice in His hands and look to Him for our reward and for our rescue.

In the words of David:
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down – this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge…
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard:
That you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done (Psalm 62:1-8,11-12).