Trust and Mercy

A Reflection on the First Reading for February 20, 2022:
Seventh ​Sunday in Ordinary Time

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1 Samuel
26.2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-25

Saul rose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, with three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.

David and Abishai went into Saul’s army by night; there Saul lay sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the army lay around him. Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand today; now therefore let me pin him to the ground with one stroke of the spear; I will not strike him twice.” But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

So David took the spear that was at Saul’s head and the water jar, and they went away. No one saw it, or knew it, nor did anyone awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on top of a hill far away, with a great distance between them. David called aloud to Saul, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and get it. The Lord rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord gave you into my hand today, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed. As your life was precious today in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he rescue me from all tribulation.”

Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
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It had been a while since I’d heard the stories of David and Saul (for anyone needing a refresher, I found this video helpful), but after revisiting their history I was amazed at David’s self-discipline in this encounter. Saul had been failing in his leadership and actively attempting to kill David, out of envy; yet David did not take advantage of Saul’s vulnerability to eliminate him as a threat. Instead, David chooses life. David honours God by acknowledging His anointing on Saul and, while disagreeing with how Saul has been ruling as King, David trusts that God will call Saul out of leadership in a better way. 
 


This trust in God is what enabled David to act with mercy. While Abishai encourages and insists that killing Saul would be justified, David recognizes that this circumstance is not an invitation from God for vengeance. In wisdom, he sees an opportunity to share in vulnerability and entrust his heart more fully to God and to surrender to His will. 
 


I may not encounter such dire and life-threatening situations in my daily life, but I can recognize innumerable opportunities where God invites me to trust Him. His direction and timing is often unexpected and far from my own thoughts, but He is so consistent and faithful in His patience and provision. Lately, I have recognized myself getting caught in a familiar pattern of anxiety and withdrawal. Through David’s example, I perceive a gentle invitation from the Holy Spirit to choose trust and mercy. He knows what I need, He knows the deepest desires of my heart, and He has surrounded me with innumerable gifts – especially through community and communion. 
 


Father, please help me to recognize the preciousness of life, the love that you share with each of us, and how worthy you are of my full trust and confidence. Amen.


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Kendra L.
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