David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1)
Doing what’s right can sometimes be risky. I was watching an episode of MasterChef a few months ago, and one of the contestants forgot to grab a certain ingredient. Due to the rules, she wasn’t allowed back into the kitchen, so she began asking her opponents for what she needed. Of course, no one wanted to help her out until she finally asked a contestant named Luca. When interviewed about it, Luca stated that he wanted to win the competition because he was the best cook and not because someone else made a silly mistake. Also, he wanted to be able to go to bed with a clear conscience, knowing that he didn’t sacrifice his character for the sake of a competition.
Doing what’s right can be risky. It certainly was for David when he sought out members of Jonathan’s household. The risk to David was that any of the people he found would have been rightful heirs to King Saul’s throne and may try to overthrow him. These were not his friends; they were his enemies. And yet he had promised Jonathan, his friend, that he would watch over his household. David did what was right, even though it came at a risk for him.
There will likely be moments in time when you have to do something risky, too, in order to do what’s right. Rather than sacrificing your character, take courage and do the right thing. When you do, God will honor your efforts in His time, and you will honor Him.
Lord, there are moments when what’s right carries risk and potential unpleasant consequences, and I face the temptation to put my character on the shelf for a few minutes so I can have what seems pleasant in the short-term. The truth is, I only sacrifice my personal peace in the long-term when I do that. Give me courage to do what’s right in all circumstances, and honor my efforts to please You.
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