The Stories We Tell and the Mercy We Choose

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I continue to think about the concept I shared last week regarding the stories we tell ourselves in our minds and the impact those have on our perspective. I’ve seen in my own life how these narratives shape how I interpret the circumstances around me—including the actions of others. Once a story forms, it’s hard not to treat people through that lens. But Scripture calls us to respond with grace and empathy in each moment. David’s encounter with Saul in the cave is a powerful example of this.
 
Title: The Stories We Tell and the Mercy We Choose
Reading: 1 Samuel 24, 26; Psalm 57; Psalm 58
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 24:6 — “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord Himself has chosen him.”
 
Scripture Insight:
David had just escaped Saul again—his twelfth attempt on David’s life. Saul returned with 3,000 elite soldiers to hunt him down. By divine irony, Saul entered the very cave where David and his men were hiding.
 
This circumstance was interpreted in two ways:

1. David’s men saw this as God’s divine opportunity for justice. “This is it! God has delivered Saul into your hands!”
2. David, guided by the Holy Spirit, saw something different. As he cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, the Holy Spirit convicted him. This wasn’t a moment for revenge—it was a moment for mercy, obedience, and trust in God’s timing.

This restraint was repeated in 1 Samuel 26 when Abishai and David entered Saul’s camp and took his canteen. Abishai followed the story in his head and interpreted the moment as divine justice once again. But David responded in the Spirit with, “No! Don’t kill him… Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday…”
 
Psalm 57 and 58, written during David’s time in the cave, reveal his heart. He felt surrounded, weary, and trapped (Ps 57:4,6). Justice was delayed. Though he was God’s anointed, it seemed God wasn’t acting. Yet David chose to hide in God’s shadow (Ps 57:1), trust in His help (Ps 57:3), and praise His unfailing love (Ps 57:7–11). He saw the circumstances through the lens of God’s love. He left justice to God (Ps 58:10–11).
David didn’t allow his own story—or his comrades’ assumptions—to cloud his pursuit of God’s glory or dull his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
 
Application:
Let’s be slow to interpret circumstances through our own assumptions. Let’s seek the Spirit’s wisdom before reacting. Let’s choose mercy over criticism, and trust God to bring justice in His time.
 
Prayer:
Lord, help me respond with grace, not judgment. Teach me to trust Your timing and honor Your name above my emotions. May I see others through Your eyes and leave justice in Your hands.

Reflection Questions:

• What story are you telling yourself about someone right now?
• Is it leading you toward grace or resentment?
• How are other people’s story affecting your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
• How can you respond with mercy today?
• What does it look like to leave justice to God?