Exodus 21:23-25 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

I grew up my whole like listening to this eye for and eye language. These scriptures were so often quoted as justification to do harm for an injustice, perceived or real. These words came from the mouths of men who had heard the words of Jesus, judge not, forgive and be forgiven, and the golden rule, do unto others.

I often wondered if they heard those words rightly, if they truly understood the teachings of Jesus. We have the clarifying word by He who is the Word. We should know the truth of these matters when He speaks them so plainly and clearly without ambiguity. Yet so opt to choose the Old Testament words and understanding because that is their hearts desire.

Sunday as I listened to the sermon it came to me that the Old Testament characters did not have the New Testament teachings to clarify the merciful and gracious side of those scriptures. Could it be possible for them to come to a proper rendering of the Word without these teachings? The I saw this;

1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

I could see David applying the golden rule to Saul. Saul hunted David, seeking to kill him. David had Saul delivered to him, vulnerable and easy to kill. His men urged David to kill Saul. David knowing he was about to become the King of Israel rendered unto Saul that which he would have others render unto him, mercy and grace. But how did David know this right rendering of the Word without having heard Jesus teachings? The answer was found in verse 4.

1 Samuel 24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.

Do to him as seems good unto thee. God left it up to David’s heart condition, David’s heart which was after God’s said show mercy and grace. David even repented in verse 5 for just cutting off Saul’s skirt.

The heart that is properly condition will lead you to a correct rendering.

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

We had been intensely focused on business concerns when the call came. A dear friend was whisked off to the hospital with blood pressure 65 over 15, unconscious. Suddenly that awareness that there are more important things in this life than personal concerns swept through us. We prayed.

It took ten hours for word to comeback that she was stable and the problem identified. Danger was averted and a plan put in place to see to her medical condition. We could relax.

Then I went right back to worrying about my own problems. I went right back into the pattern I was in before the call. I slept about three hours last night because of it. What’s wrong with me?

I see a need to pray for others, for God to find a way out of a dark place and back into the safety of His arms. Why can I not do the same for myself? God cares about me. God has been gracious to me. Why don’t I take my worries to the Lord in prayer?

I know in my heart “Kingdom business” first. But I do not see my business as being “Kingdom business” and I have this attitude that I have to take care of my business. It just escapes me that while I am in the world, I am not of the world. I am Kingdom business. I may not have the immediate health treat of my friend, but if I keep up this pattern of restless nights and loss of sleep it can affect my health. Then it will be Kingdom business for others to intercede with prayer.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Thank you most gracious God, my Father in Heaven. Shine a light upon my path to lead me out of this dark place, back to your loving arms. Amen