1 SAMUEL 25

Some people build skyscrapers. Some people build empires. God builds character.

Photo © Unsplash/Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa

What jumped out to me in this chapter was David’s near-reversal of behavior from the previous chapter. In 1 Samuel 24, David had a chance to kill Saul—someone who was an avowed enemy—and he didn’t do it. He showed incredible maturity and restraint, even trying to reason with Saul about things.

In 1 Samuel 24, David showed himself to be patient, forgiving, kind, and level-headed. So, how is it possible that he could act nearly the opposite in his very next encounter with an obstinate person? Nabal insults him, and David totally flies off the handle. He tells his 200 mighty men to arm themselves, and they prepare to go and kill every male in sight.

At first, it may seem odd and counter-intuitive. Yet, haven’t you ever experienced the same exact thing in your life? In one, specific circumstance, you strive to show great depth of character—and maybe you succeed. And then, on the heels of your "victory," you are confronted with another situation that requires the same strength of character—and you totally blow it? I know I’ve done that a lot in my life. And I always wonder if I’m schizophrenic. How can I act so evenly in one situation and so irrationally in another?

To me, this is all part of God’s character-building process. He knows where our weaknesses are, and He provides opportunities for us to flex that character trait (similarly to how one exercises muscle to build it). If you ask God for patience, He will provide many opportunities for you to practice patience. If you ask God for a forgiving heart, He will provide many opportunities for you to practice forgiveness.

Our God-like character doesn’t come to us because God waves His magic character wand and, all of a sudden, we’re perfect. It comes through the opportunity to practice building those God-like character traits in a variety of circumstances. Sometimes we succeed beautifully (as David did with Saul). And sometimes we find out that we still have a long way to go (as David did with Nabal). Yet, God doesn’t give up on us—and so we shouldn’t give up on ourselves. He is the master character builder, and if we allow Him to build, He will produce in us a most beautiful, God-reflecting heart.