God's Mercies (1 Samuel 24)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
3 September 2023
There is enmity between the devil and God and his people. The devil hates Jesus. He hates the church. This enmity is seen in Saul's hatred of David.
David had opportunity to kill Saul but restrained himself. He feared God. Saul had been anointed to be king. David respected this and held back from killing Saul. Jesus had opportunity to call more than 12 legions of angels to assist him but he restrained from doing so. Jesus holds back divine wrath.
A reason for today's rampant lawlessness is that people do not fear God. A God-fearing society is a foundation to a law-abiding society.
After sparing Saul, David explained why he had spared him. It was out of mercy. The gospel of God’s mercy needs to be explained to people. It must enter the intellect first. Understanding is the channel to the will and emotions.
David demonstrated his mercy. He showed the piece he cut from Saul's garment. Calvary is the demonstration of God's mercy. It shows the Son of God cut off from life—a clear demonstration of his substitutionary death for sinners.
David showed he trusted the Lord to judge Saul (1 Samuel 26:10). Vengeance is the Lord’s.
Mercy melts the heart of enemies. When David explained what had happened to Saul, Saul wept. Sinners weep when they know what Christ has done for them.
David did not advance his cause by worldly ways. He trusted in God to mete out justice. He had the right to rule Israel, a right which even Saul acknowledged. Jesus trusted the Father for the furtherance of the gospel saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Saul pleads for mercy for his descendants and David promised him such mercy. Mercy continues today through the Son of David, Jesus, who offers pardon to all who are at enmity with God.
We learn that David's accession to the throne was gradual. Jesus, the Son of David, assumes his kingdom progressively. He had to endure death on a cross first. Pain first; then glory.
Believers are called to be merciful just as the heavenly Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). Since God has been merciful to us let us be merciful to all people—even our enemies. Therefore Christians, if you are serious about glorifying God, be merciful.