JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD

PROCLAMATION

“Then David went out of the cave and … He said to Saul … This day …The Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave … look at this piece of your robe in my hand!  I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you … I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.”  1 Samuel 24:8-11 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

As David fled from King Saul, he went into the wilderness in the hills of Ziph. (1 Samuel 23:13-14)  Saul continued to pursue David until a messenger told him that the Philistines were raiding his land. (1 Samuel 23:26-28)  Saul broke off his pursuit of David to battle the Philistines, but when he had defeated them, he returned to seek after David. (1 Samuel 24:1-2)  Saul went into a cave to relieve himself.  David and his men were far back in this deep cave and Saul did not see them.  David crept up behind Saul and cut off the corner of his robe, then crept back to his men. (1 Samuel 24:3-4)  After Saul left the cave, David came out of the cave and called to him.  He told him that some of his men had urged that to kill him, but he refused to do so. (1 Samuel 24:10)  David told Saul that he could have killed him, but he didn’t do it.

APPLICATION

Just because we have the ability, and the opportunity, and the desire to do something, that does not mean that we should do it, especially if we know that it is wrong or sinful.  When we know better, then we should do better.  We have the God given ability to choose between right and wrong.   We need to pray for God’s guidance and direction before we act or speak.  The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord God. (Psalm 37:23)