Great Battles Won in Silence | 1 Samuel 26:9-11

Will you take the silent advantage or do what is right?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, Saul is on the hunt for David, determined to capture and kill him. David hears he is camped on the hill beyond him, so he and Abishai go on a reconisence mission. They sneak into the center of camp, where Saul and his commander are dead asleep, and Abishai suggests pinning Saul to the ground with his spear. Then here is how David responds in verses 9-11:

But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?” And David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” — 1 Samuel 26:9-11

How do you respond when faced with an opportunity that would give you a silent advantage? Are you spiritually centered or privately selfish?

At this point, we know David is tired of Saul's games. It has been years of going around in circles with this man. God has presently given him the upper hand by allowing him to sneak into the center of camp. He is standing at the head of the Commander and the King. He could easily take matters into his own hands and selfishly take advantage. Even Abishai sees the advantage. This is like that moment when you are in line at the grocery store, and the cashier hands you too much money in return. Do you choose to be silently selfish and take the advantage, or do you do what is spiritually right and righteous?

Yet David's situation is not simply a matter of incorrect counting by a counter cashier. The man sleeping on the ground before him has acted unfairly and unrighteously for years. Saul has broken promises, divided him from his friends, taken his wife, driven his family into exile, and tried to kill him numerous times. Still, David stands over him and makes a just judgment even when persuaded and presented with the opportunity.

David fought many battles. However, it is these battles that capture my attention most in his story. David fights valiantly with the enemy that lies within his own heart—the silent and persuasive battle with his own selfishness.

How are you fighting these battles today? When given the opportunity for an unfair advantage do you take it?

1. Financial Gain: Benefiting from overpayments or errors.
2. Workplace Politics: Taking credit for others's work or insider information.
3. Relationships: Exploiting trust or vulnerabilities.
4. Competitions: Cheating to gain a win.
5. Academics: Using unauthorized help or copying.
6. Reputation: Exaggerating achievements.
7. Business: Cutting ethical corners or withholding information.
8. Leadership: Using authority for personal benefit.
9. Job Searching: Misrepresenting qualifications.
10. Social Influence: Slandering to gain a status.
11. Legal Loopholes: Avoiding consequences through technicalities.

Consider this list and examine your response when opportunities arise to gain these silent advantages. Remember some of the greatest battles you will ever fight are fought in silence with the sin and selfishness that lie within your own heart. Isn’t it time to fight the silent battles and let God claim the victory?

#IntegrityInAction, #UnseenBattles, #GodGetsTheGlory

Ask This:

1. When faced with silent opportunities for personal gain, do you pause to consider what choice honors God most?
2. How do you respond when integrity challenges you to act righteously, even if no one else will ever know?

Do This:

Fight the battle with yourself!

Pray This:

Lord, help me to choose integrity over personal gain, even when no one is watching. Strengthen my heart to fight the silent battles that honor You alone. Amen.

Play This:

Great Are You, Lord.