April 17, 2025 -Light Drowns Out Darkness

1 SAMUEL 23:13-29

PSALM 54

1 SAMUEL 24:1-25:44

Chronological Bible Readings

1 Samuel 24:11 Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.

David presents Saul with truth and grace to refute the lie that he was spouting out about him. Evidence. Proof that he had no intention of killing Saul. He presents it to him in a very public manor. It means that Saul has to acknowledge the truth.

1 Samuel 24:16 When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then he began to cry. 17 And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. 18 Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. 19 Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. 20 And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!”

Saul's response. Could it be that he only responded like this because he was called out in front of witnesses? Maybe. After all, when we are dealing with people who are prone to lies the best way to take the wind out of that sail is to make sure that there is witness to the truth. Or was it the fact that truth has power over evil. Could it be that when presented with truth and grace the evil that caused him to become so violent and erratic couldn't stand. Evil has no power in the face of truth. When in the presence of the light of truth the darkness of lies is driven out. Now we know that Saul doesn't continue to think, speak and act the same way. Could it be that the darkness creeps back in because the light is no longer there. Could it be that since he does not repeat that truth to him and does not seek that truth from others the light goes out. When we face the battle of the darkness of lies and we are presented with the truth we need to take that truth and continuously stand in the presence of it to keep the lies at bay. We can speak them, read them and listen to them over and over again and the truth will win. But when we start focusing on the lies and ignore the truth the darkness will overwhelm us and we will fall into the trap the enemy has laid before us.

Keep seeking truth.