MESSY-ER

Every mess comes with some bad options.

David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle. For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.”
1 Samuel 18:14-15 NLT

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him. Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David’s enemy for the rest of his life. 1 Samuel 18:28-29 NLT

After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi. So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! 1 Samuel 24:1-3 NLT

“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. 1 Samuel 24:4 NLT

If you ignore virtue, you will eventually make a mess.

ut then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. 1 Samuel 24:5-7 NLT

This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.’ “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. 1 Samuel 24:10,12 NLT

I'm opting for virtue over hurt you.

And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. 1 Samuel 24:17 NLT

Every mess comes pre-packaged with some bad options.

Your response to the mess is the real story.

What story do I want to tell?

Which of my options do you want as a permanent part of my story?