Read: 1 Samuel 25-27
Focus Verse: “Then Saul said, ‘I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.” (1 Samuel 26:21).
Devotion: Seems to be a cycle, Saul hunts down David, David is given a chance to kill Saul, he doesn’t (and shows compassion and grace), and Saul apologizes. It just keeps going though. David even realizes it won’t stop; “But David thought to himself, ‘One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 27:1). David flees to another country to lay low. David’s choice to flee to the land of the Philistines shows how when he was in a toxic cycle he got up and cut the relationship off. Saul will still do what Saul wants, but now, David isn’t going to be a part of it, or allow it to continue happening. Sometimes we have to cut off unhealthy relationships for a time, and leave it in the LORD’s hands.
Pray: LORD help me see the times and people and cyclical relationships I need to cut myself off from so that You can have room to work in them. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” (Isa. 43:1-2)