Samuel 26:25
‘Then Saul said to David, “Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and assuredly prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.’
The Lord honors those that serve Him. It's not often we have it spelled out so plainly like this verse. This is David's adversary speaking it for all to hear. It's actually the second time. Some of these soldiers probably heard the first time. Saul said it again, "I have sinned...I have played the fool..."
This will make for great gossip in Israel. It will spread throughout the whole country. David will be honored by this and Saul will be seen for what he is, a fallen king who sees is position as more important than his standing before God.
The Lord will protect and honor us. We don't need to worry or manipulate circumstances. Even if we are wronged. The Lord will fight our battles and protect us. Our situation won't be as dramatic as this one. God caused a great sleep to fall on the guards while David came in and took Saul's spear. God will engineer circumstances to protect and honor us.
Part of this is not to worry about our press. We don't need to work in our favor. We are to love and serve others while staying within the bounds of His commands. Hold the door for them, don't race to get the next spot in line. Faithfully love and honor others. This demonstrates faith that the Lord appreciates.
This gives us rest. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of it's own." There is much we could worry about, the Lord tells us not to. If a circumstance bumps into us, then deal with it. Just like with David, Saul camped right in his neighborhood, so he dealt with it. The rest of the year, it wasn't an issue. David couldn't have dreamt this one up, he comes out of it as the good guy in front of his men and the entire nation.
We aren't to fight most battles or to worry about our reputations. The Lord will take care of that. This is another area where we can rest. I can recall getting embarrassed as a young man and fantasizing about my revenge. It plagued me for much longer than it should have. I put up a makeshift punching bag in my garage in preparation. It's interesting that no asked about that.
Psalm 23 speaks of God's desire to honor us, "He prepareth a table for me in the presence of my enemies." This is an honor banquet that God hosts for us. This may have been the very circumstance that prompted David to write this. God does this for us also. We don't seek it, He will bring it about. It's also not to be our desire. Sure it's awesome when it happens, but we aren't to hope and dream. God will do it in His time. We are to faithfully seek to honor Him. The Lord says in I Samuel 2:30, "I will honor those who honor me." Our task is to honor Him.
If honoring God sounds odd, the keep walking with Him and stay in His Word. He will work it in our hearts. We will become jealous for Him and His ways. We aren't to act on all our feelings, but we begin to be His fan and seek to promote Him. It may be to glorify His creation or to give Him the credit due Him in all He does for us.
Lord, thank You for working the right things in our hearts. Thank You for honoring us and helping us to honor You. You are good and worthy to be praised.