Thought for Today: “A Yielded Heart”

David knew which battles to fight, because he knew that these battles weren’t about him, but about God’s honor. When David heard Goliath’s challenge, he knew that this was a battle that needed fighting. His brothers rebuked him saying his motives were personal.

But David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29)

Throughout David’s life, he yielded to God and to God’s causes. We see this when he spared Nabal’s life when he disrespected David and his men (1 Samuel 25). He spared Saul’s life when he could have easily killed him (1 Samuel 24:1-7). He could have had Shimei killed for cursing him and his army (2 Samuel 16:5-13). But in all these incidences David yielded himself to God’s will, rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Saul, however, didn’t know friend from foe, or God’s causes from his own. Instead of destroying everything of the Amalekites, he spared the best for himself. Also, Saul’s jealousy of David caused him to fight against one of God’s defenders.

A person who seeks after the heart of God must be yielded to God’s will and fight His battles and not their own.