God is Our Avenger
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Bud Welch fought (an internal) rage and desire for retribution when his daughter Julie was killed along with 167 other people in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Welch had opposed the death penalty before his daughter was killed, but he reversed his stance as he tried to cope with his loss in the weeks following the bombing."People used to tell me, particularly when Julie hit her teenage years, that 'Bud, you'd change your mind [about the death penalty] if your daughter was murdered,' " Welch said. "After the bombing, I was so full of revenge and retribution, I didn't even want a trial for [Oklahoma City bombers] McVeigh and [Terry] Nichols. I thought the federal government and prosecutors were useless and I just wanted them fried."
Welch, who owned a service station in Oklahoma City at the time, said he was so grief-stricken and had such a hard time dealing with his loss that he would go home and drink to try to get himself to fall asleep. His drinking gradually increased.
One day, about 10 months after Julie's death, Welch went to the bomb site — which he routinely visited because that was the last place where his daughter was alive — and began to examine himself and search for a way to get past his grief. He found that he was being consumed that the same rage and thirst of revenge that had driven McVeigh and Nichols to blow up the Murray Federal Building and kill his daughter.
"I finally asked myself three questions: Do I need to have a trial right away? Do I need to have a conviction? Do I need to have McVeigh and Nichols executed?" Welch said. "I came to the conclusion that none of those things needed to be part of the healing process I had to go through to get past this and stop the alcohol abuse and stop smoking three packs of cigarettes a day.
"It was hate and retribution that drove McVeigh and Nichols. They were getting revenge for what happened in Waco, Texas, exactly two years earlier on April 19, 1993" — when U.S. government agents began storming the Branch Davidian compound, and the sect's stronghold went up in flames.
"It was out of rage and retribution that Julie and so many fine people are dead today," Welch said. "After I began to realize what drove McVeigh and Nichols, I realized that I didn't want to let my rage and revenge get out of control like it did with them."
Two years after McVeigh's execution, Welch says some families are still searching for the sense of closure they thought his death would bring.
"I haven't had one family come up to me — or say in the newspapers or in the news — that they have felt better now that McVeigh is dead," Welch said. "Some people came up to me and said, 'Well, it was too easy. He just went to sleep.' Now that doesn't mean that some families don't feel better, but I haven't heard it."
https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96813&page=1
Purpose
Purpose
Our world is full of evil and this weekend, as we remember the terrorist acts of 9/11, we are challenged once again with great feelings of loss, fear, and sometimes anger and hate towards those who commit evil against us. As always, the follower of Jesus is called to respond to evil differently from how the world responds to evil.
While 9/11 is a tragic event in our history, it may not conjure up magnitude of hate and animosity in the same way a personal attack on yourself or your family might. As a parent, when we see people attack our kids, we want to go Chuck Norris on somebody to defend the ones we love. But is this what the Bible teaches? In my own life, I have been really facing this question lately as I watch my kids face the evil of the world that attacks them. I know God’s word has alot to say to how Christians should respond to evil in our passage today because it has been a truly challenged me.
David goes not give into his desire for revenge or the promptings of his fellow soldiers. Instead, he trust his circumstances to a God who avenges all wrong doing.
Review
Review
Before David became king, he was a simple shepherd boy who trusted in the strength of YHWH and refused to let anyone doishonor the name of His God, even if it is a giant, 9 feet tall. As the giant slayer, David grew to have favor in the eyes of men and the Lord had already chose him to be the next king of Israel. Once Samuel anointed David as the next king, and declared to Saul that the kingdom would be stripped from him because of his rebellion, Saul hated David.
Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
I. The Soured Heart of Revenge
I. The Soured Heart of Revenge
1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
…Saul…went to seek David!.
The heart of revenge is rooted in discontentment, hatred, and a lack of faith in God's purposes and plan for your life. Instead of trusting God as protector and king and loving your enemies, you
find it necessary to defend yourself and seek some retribution in hurting others. That revenge might be manifested...
physically (you cause them physical harm) Cain and Abel
Cain suffered from the same sin as Saul as he was jealous over what he didn’t have. He saw Abel’s sacrifice received by God, while his was not. Instead of evaluating why it was not accepted, he instead turned to jealousy, and that jealousy led to hate and hate to murder. All the while, the situation would have been much different if Cain would have realized that his own heart was the problem.
Fighting is one human response to evil committed against us.
socially (you speak ill of them to others, causing harm to their reputation- this is verbal fighting )
This is most clearly seen in our world today as disagreements and divisions are manifest outwardly on our computer screens and hand held devices. Our generation has been conditioned to argue screen to screen instead of face to face and oftentimes that disagreement leads to hate in one’s heart for another image bearer of God. That hate manifests itself in retaliation by means of vague tweets, private gossip, or public slander which expose a heart that dishonors the Lord.
relationally (you spurn them, avoid them, )
When those we do not know hurt us, it is easy to manage because we do not see them. But when our loved ones, co-workers, and friends do evil against us, another common response to that evil is to flee.
“Another way to escape from a conflict is to run away. This may include leaving the house, ending a friendship, quitting a job, filing for divorce, or changing churches. In most cases, running away only postpones a proper solution to a problem (see Gen.16:6–8), so flight is usually a harmful way to deal with conflict.”
Sande, Ken. The Peacemaker (p. 23). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Co-Conspirators for revenge
1 Sam 24:4
1 Samuel 24:4 (ESV)
4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
Not only does evil bring its own challenges internally, but our story today reveals that there are often co-conspirators to our evil responses as well. David had been put in this situation by the providence of God who moves all of history according to his will. Saul did not coincidentally go into the SAME CAVE to take care of his personal needs that David and his soldiers were hiding in.
David saw this situation as a testing from God, but his men saw it as an opportunity end the conflict by force. They told David to use this opportunity and kill Saul. David’s men were speaking as if God actually commanded David to take Saul’s life therefore trying to justify the killing of Saul as a means of justice. But David was wise and did not listen to this foolish counsel. David had been promised by God to be king and he knew that DID NOT REQUIRE HIM to take that kingdom from Saul by killing him. Instead, David was patient to wait on God to give him him what he promised
There will always be co-conspirators in your revenge who are just as hurt and damaged as you are in your bitterness. These people have oftentimes not dealt with their own hurt and therefore give foolish advice that only swells your plans for revenge. Be aware of those as those adding accelerant to the flame of anger and hate instead of leading you to the sweet peace that God wants us to seek in our lives.
2: The Sweet Trust in God’s Justice
2: The Sweet Trust in God’s Justice
While Saul and David’s men both were moving towards acts of revenge and hatred, David who was the man after God’s own heart, give us a clear picture of how the lover of God should act when evil has been committed against us.
David responded stealthily with the cutting off a small section of the robe of Saul while he was preoccupied with using the restroom. The king’s robe brought special meaning and authority.
Like the crown on a king’s head, the robe was a special garment signifying the one who ruled over the kingdom at hand. The cutting of the robe was David’s symbolic attempt at showing Saul that his kingdom was be taken from him and given to David.
Even this small act by David became a lesson in his sin. The conscience-stricken David laments at even this act of cutting the robe because He acknowledges that Saul was anointed and any evil act on the king was a rebellion against God and those he has placed in power. David was not called to take the kingdom from Saul but to wait for God to give it to him.
This is tremendous for the Christian church to learn from in this age we are living. Trusting God that the evil king Saul was not to be touched because it was God who placed him on the throne teaches us to trust God in all of our dire circumstances instead of pursuing evil against our enemies or rushing to do what God has promised us in time. Our current study through Ezra has taught us that even evil kings are appointed by God and God uses them to bring about his purposes in the world. God does not make them evil, nor is he responsible for their evil against mankind, but God does rule over them and he uses their evil acts for His good purposes.
As David acknowledges the power and rule of God, it leads us to see a humility in his life. He is so sensitive to the work of God in him, that his heart is struck with this act of sin. He exits the cave to face his opponent fully trusting in God’s power over the situation. His humility in seeing his own failure honors God and empowers him to confront his accuser with grace. As David comes out of the cave, he lowers himself to the ground, showing honor to the current king.
Now David has been promised this kingdom by God and yet David humbles himself to bow before this king, even as this king unjustly seeks to kill him.
This is the message for the church today that no matter what injustice we face, God calls us to humility. He desires for us to acknowledge that as sin has be committed against us by others, there must be mercy and grace because our sin against God is far greater. This humility can only come through a proper understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to suffer and die, not for his sins but for the sin that enslaves each and every one of us. He put on human flesh, suffered and died, so we can be reconciled to God. This unlimited grace towards us should lead the church to put on humility against our greatest of enemies.
9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.
B. TRUTH
David was standing upon the truth in his heart as one who honored the truth of God. History shows us that David was not always truthful, but here in this moment, he stands on speaking truth to Saul and declaring his innocence. It did not matter if Saul believed David’s truth claims for God knew the motives of David’s heart. As believers, we are called to be people of truth and we should declare truth regardless if that truth is accepted or not. In the end, if our pleas of innocence against out accusers or opponents is rejected, God knows our hearts and he is pleased with our heart of love and peace.
God blesses truthfulness and he punishes liars and deceit.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
A. HUMILITY
B. TRUTH
C. TRUST
We come to the final and most important of David’s responses to evil committed against him: TRUST
1 Sam 24:12-15
12 May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
David declares that regardless of what Saul may think about him or what others might have said about him, his trust is in God who judges justly the heart and who will avenge this evil against him. When it comes to this present world, truth is found in God and only true justice can come from God. When the Bible talks about justice, that term is rooted in God as perfectly righteous.
This means that society cannot define what is just, only God defines true justice.
In other words, it didn’t matter what David said about his own character, nor how Saul interpreted his motives, true justice would occur when David’s heart was examined by God to if he truly was striving by faith for holiness or righteousness before God. Therefore, in the face of evils committed against Him, David was “TRUSTING GOD” as the true avenger of justice!
As we live in a world full of evil and sin, people will oppress us, steal from us, ridicule and cheat us, and without the hope of Jesus Christ, the world turns to pseudo forms of change. But we must acknowledge that change in this world starts with a change of one’s heart. When a person’s changed by the power of the gospel, then his trust is in the Sovereign God who rules all and who judges justly. The Bible tells us that we should never seek to avenge ourselves, but instead put our trust in the One who will come again and will lay forth his vengeance on all evildoers. God will give people justly what they deserve.
A. HUMILITY
B. TRUTH
C. TRUST
D. LOVE
Paul tells the Christians in Rome,
Romans 12:17-21
Romans 12:17–21 (ESV)
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This message to the Romans commands all believers leads us to the final lesson from this passage: LOVE. God calls us to respond towards our enemies in a righteous way, in the way that he responds to his enemies. We are enemies of God and therefore what all humanity deserves is eternal death and hell. But God demonstrated his love towards us that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Therefore, we are to love our enemies. We are to pray for them and seek to do good to them. This does not mean avoid them, stay away from them because that is not love. We are to intentionally do good to them, giving them what they don’t deserve for this is the way that we reflect the love of God with us. As David confronts Saul, God shows Saul his hatred and it leads Saul to momentary remorse (although 2 chapters later, he is hunting David again). But notice what David does in verse 20-22
1 Sam 24:20-22
20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
David shows undeserving compassion and love to Saul by swearing that when he becomes king, that David would not wipe out his offspring. This act is small measure of love and compassion that is much needed in the world. If people hate you because of the color of your skin or the social class to which you belong, love them. If they speak evil of you and ruin your reputation, love them. If they physically attack you or your family, find a safe way to love them. For this love comes from heart that has been changed by the gospel and its what is desperately needed in our world today.
Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good!
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