Giving Honor

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

How many times do we mourn over the defeat of our enemies? Today I consider the downfall of several people in the wars that my nation is currently engaged in. We saw the downfall of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden and many of our patriots were partying in the streets. Politically part of the United States is in shock as the Supreme Court upheld a law that they disliked, while others celebrate. My personal opinions are my own and I will not discuss them here. But what I want to bring up is how well are you losing and winning?

David spent many years running from Saul. He was ordained king over Israel yet refused to take the throne because to David, Saul was the king and he believed he did not have the right to remove him from power. I find this striking in many ways. I have been promoted a few times in my jobs, and I could not wait to take on the new role, to be honest I was rather put off when one promotion was delayed. Not David, he waited years to step into his next role.

When the time for his rise finally came, his first act as king was to lead the nation in the lamentations over the death of Saul and his son. Would I do this in my own life? Would I honor those I so strongly opposed in life? As I have proceeded with my personal journey with Christ I have noticed many changes in my life. At one point I would have been the first to throw a party for the demise of my foe, not so much now.

I have to admit that I was excited to hear about the capture of my nations enemies, but I was also disturbed. We lose something of our humanity when we neglect to honor the humanity of others. In school after a sporting event we would shake the hands of the opposing team, somtimes it was difficult to do but I now find that task as being one of the greatest lessons of life. David captured this idea of sportsmanship into the largest aspect of life. He did not push his victory into the face of the opponents but honored them. What would this look like for our own nation? How could we honor the life of our enemies without highlighting or degrading your own position? How do we celebrate a loss in our own position? Is it even possible to do this?

I do not have the answers I only have questions and
imperfect attempts. Part of me does not even want to try, but even Jesus wept at the failing of those that opposed Him. I do not think it supposed to easy, life is not easy. David stood at a crossroad in history, and the nation was eased into the new day by him honoring the foe. They emerged stronger after the loss of a king, the only answer is that he lead them honorably. Today I encourage you to honor those around you as you pray and walk through life with Christ.