from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel

... True strength is shown when we trust God enough to restrain ourselves

Proverbs 20:22 NKJV (devotion translation)

In the account of David’s Early Life, we see a young man who was both courageous in battle and restrained in spirit. After his victory over Goliath, David gained favor among the people, but also provoked deep jealousy in King Saul. Though David was pursued, threatened, and even attacked, he consistently chose not to retaliate.

This restraint was not weakness. It was a reflection of David’s trust in God. He understood that the Lord was his defender, and that taking matters into his own hands would only complicate what God was already overseeing. While Saul acted out of fear and insecurity, David walked in wisdom because the Lord was with him.

Scripture repeatedly affirms that vengeance belongs to God. When we are wronged, our natural instinct is often to respond quickly and forcefully. Yet the wisdom of God calls us to pause, to hold our peace, and to entrust the situation to Him. This requires faith—faith that God sees rightly, judges justly, and acts in His time.

David’s example points us ultimately to Christ, who also endured injustice without retaliation. He entrusted Himself to the Father, demonstrating perfect obedience and trust. In the same way, we are called to respond not out of impulse, but out of confidence in God’s sovereign care.

There will be moments when silence feels costly and restraint feels unnatural. But it is in those moments that our faith is refined. Choosing not to repay evil is not ignoring wrong—it is placing it in the hands of a righteous God.

The Lord is not indifferent to what we endure. He is present, attentive, and faithful. Our responsibility is not to settle every offense, but to walk in obedience and trust Him to bring about what is right.

Lord, teach me to trust You in moments of offense and to rest in Your justice rather than my own response. Amen.

• Romans 12:17-19 - Do not repay evil for evil; leave room for God’s righteous judgment.
• 1 Peter 2:23 - Christ endured suffering without retaliation, entrusting Himself to God.
• Psalm 37:7-9 - Waiting on the Lord and refraining from anger reflects trust in His justice.

David - Restraint and Trust in God

• 1 Samuel 16:11-13 - David is anointed by Samuel; God’s calling begins before public recognition.
• 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - David defeats Goliath, declaring that the battle belongs to the Lord.
• 1 Samuel 18:6-9 - Saul becomes jealous of David’s success.
• 1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul attempts to kill David; hostility intensifies.
• 1 Samuel 24:4-7 - David spares Saul in the cave, refusing to take vengeance.
• 1 Samuel 26:9-11 - David again restrains himself, entrusting Saul to the Lord.
• 2 Samuel 5:3-4 - David is ultimately established as king in God’s timing.