Restrained From Evil

Restrained From Evil

But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men?

I Samuel 29:4

In order to make us Christlike, God, at times, must preserve us from the logical consequences of some of our bad choices. When David lost sight of Christ, he hired out to Achish as a mercenary. Achish was about to go into battle against Saul at Mount Gilboa. If David went, he would end up fighting Israelites, over which God had anointed him king. Moreover, he would have doubtless been in the vicinity of Saul on his last day of life. This was not where God wanted him to be. To restrain David from these actions, God stirred up the lords of the Philistines to have him sent home. Achish stood up for him, but lost the round. David had to go. So God is often merciful to us. We lose sight of Christ. We get ourselves into situations in which we should not be. We are saying and doing things that are going to take us down wrong roads. God often uses ‘the wrath of man to praise Him.’ As He did with David, so He restrains us from going too far down that wrong road. His overarching purpose is to conform us to the Image of Christ. In order to do that, He must, in essence, save us from ourselves. Perhaps you find yourself today in David’s shoes. Perhaps the Restraining Hand of God is even today preserving you from some venture which will land you somewhere you should not be. He makes no mistakes. This is for your good, and will lead you to His perfect end for you.

Our Gracious, Sovereign God,
we praise You that you do all things after the counsel of Your Own Will,
We rejoice that by Your Hand,
You preserve us from ourselves.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning