Ruthless or Merciful?
Ruthlessness is often seen as a quality to be admired. The single-minded pursuit of goals without concern for those who stand in the way may be attributed to "strong leadership". Rather than be considered feckless or ineffectual, some men aspire to be ruthless to show that they are strong and admirable. But what is there to admire in the ruthless man?
Saul's jealousy and fear of being overshadowed by David, led him to ruthlessly pursue David and on many occasions he tried to kill him. David had the opportunity (on two occasions) to kill Saul, while he was on the run from him. How did he react?
Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Afterwards, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him…" 1 Samuel 24:4-6 [NIV]
David knew that he was anointed by God and that he would be king after Saul. Yet, he refused any shortcuts and didn't "take things into his own hands". David's position of king-in-waiting was stressful for both Saul and David, and there must have been a lot of encouragement for David to act. Yet David understood that mercy was the better way.
The world would have us be ever more ruthless, yet Jesus taught us that love is the better way. The book of Ruth gives us a selfless example of love of a woman for her mother-in-law.
Pray that men of God might be more like Ruth and less "Ruthless". Amen
Dave MacLellan
(previously published in 2004)
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