A common theme emerges from today's reading - Taking the High Ground.

Bad guy Doeg, on orders from King Saul kills 85 priests and the entire town of Nob. The people blamed David for the deaths of the 85 priests. However, it was because of a lie that David told that Saul ordered the deaths of the priests. None of the accusations against David are true.  At this point Saul is being influenced by an evil spirit.  Nevertheless, David takes the high ground and accepts responsibility.

David compares himself to an olive tree, flourishing in the House of God. An olive tree is one of the longest living trees, but one that is flourishing lives even longer. Something that is flourishing is healthy, robust, strong, and growing. If we compare that to our lives as Believers, can we say that we are spiritually healthy, robust, strong, and growing in faith?

Throughout the reading today, we learn of David inquiring of the Lord for his decisions.  Could that be why David was able to take the high ground?

David took refuge in the Desert of En Gedi in a cave near the Crags of the Wild Goats.  We were there in June of 2005 and saw a multitude of wild goats.  David has an opportunity to kill King Saul in the cave yet he doesn’t, calling Saul the Lord’s anointed. Again David takes the high ground.

Saul knows that David will be king and pleads for the safety of his family. It was customary for a new king to destroy the family of the former king. David gives his oath that he will not destroy Saul's descendants. And again, David takes the high ground.

Read Psalm 57 in light of current political and economic unrest and take heart with these words of David:

Ps 57:7a
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
Do we as Believers take the high ground? Is our heart steadfast as we trust in Him?