Retaliation – Matthew 5:39

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Few people, with the exception of Jesus Christ, have had so profound a justification to strike out against another in retaliation than did David against Saul, for Saul dogged David like a hound on a wounded fox.  He hated him out of pure sin-induced blindness and self-interest, desiring him dead without provocation.

Saul, ignoring David’s faithful service and kind ministrations to him, hunted David down as if he were a wild, menacing beast deserving of Saul’s repeated attempts to have him murdered.  Yet, the Lord withheld David’s hand when he had Saul trapped and defenseless.[1]  David knew that vengeance belongs to the Lord.  He believed the Lord would judge righteously between Saul and himself, and he understood that the Lord would avenge Saul’s mistreatment of him.  Though pushed into dangerous places, where perils abounded and death taunted, David did not retaliate against Saul, rather he entrusted himself to the Lord, his Protector and Shield.

Our Lord is looking for people like David, people whose response to mistreatment will reveal hearts determined to obey Him and to serve Him, people who will entrust another’s unkindness, falsity, or betrayal to their Lord, people who refuse to take revenge.[2]

Christ teaches us how we must respond: loving those who have aggrieved us,[3] accepting those who would abuse us, forgiving them while trusting in Him, waiting with forbearance and serenity for Him to take up our cause in His perfect wisdom and timing.[4]  As He leads us higher, we can follow Him in confidence, for He does not speak of that which He does not know.  He lived out His teachings by responding to harshness and cruelty with a dignity and meekness possible only by a heart wholly submitted to His Father and solidly grounded in the truth.

As peacemakers, we are to do everything we can to be at peace with everyone in our lives including those who have treated us falsely or harshly.[5] The Holy Spirit calls us to take on the gentleness and faithfulness of our Lord, Jesus Christ, loving in the face of abuse, serving at the hands of betrayal.

Be faithful to stand in the love of Christ regardless of the provocation another may inflict upon you, and forgive the wrongs done to you.  Honor God by being faithful to His instructions, and you, as was David, will be a person after God’s own heart.[6]

[1] 1 Samuel 24:9-15

[2] Romans 12:19

[3] Leviticus 19:18

[4] Proverbs 20:22

[5] Romans 12:18

[6] 1 Samuel 13:14