But God told me...

When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. 1 Samuel 24:1-7 ESV

There’s a proverb that says, “The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty” (or if you prefer something more modern, “Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.”)

The word “contentions” takes us to a courtroom setting with arguments going this way and that, until (drum roll, please) someone throws a “lot.” And whether the lot was drawing straws or throwing them, or literally throwing their version of “holy dice” (urim and thummin style), casting lots was a simple appeal to the divine – since God’s sovereign presence is in everything and thus the lot’s “every decision is from the Lord.” In other words, it’s a divine trump card that settles the arguments and stops all debate.

It strikes me that that is often how “words” function in our havering. A position can be stated and defended, and then someone pulls out their own divine trump card in the form of “Well, God told me __________.” As if no further thought need be applied, no discernment attempted. Of course, if my “God told me” is countered by your “Yeah, but God told me,” we’re still left in the pickle. It’s like we’re both casting our own lots and getting different results. Too often havering de-evolves into my say so and your say so covered with a coating of “God speak” to try to win the point.

Poor havering.

This is what I hear in David’s men as they try to persuade David to take Saul out as he finishes up his business in the cave (and by the way, the Bible contains few scenes as wildly funny as this one). As Saul has his bowel movement, they want out (just what had he been eating, anyway?), they want to put an end to their time of trial, it all only makes sense. But they coat it with, “This is what God was talking about when he said, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Not trying to be legalistic or anything, but I simply can’t locate that statement anywhere. When did God say that? And when did these ruffians suddenly become such God-fearing men of the Word? It’s amazing how quickly we can wrap ourselves in the flag of whatever cause or authority when we need it to prop up our agendas.

David was convinced enough to at least crawl up to the defecating king and cut off the corner of his robe. But then he thought better of it. His conscience smote him because of a deeper realized truth (“You don’t lift up your hand against the Lord’s anointed”) that later is confirmed with an ancient proverb (“From wicked men come wicked deeds”).

It’s a good havering lesson.

It’s good to listen for God’s voice, to expect to hear from the Lord. “Despise not prophesying,” says Paul, “and don’t quench the Spirit.” But there’s more. “Test everything. Hold on to what’s good, keep away from everything that doesn’t wash (my paraphrase).” In another place he says, “You may all prophesy one by one, and let the rest discern.” In other words, in the best havering to offer “This is what I hear God saying” doesn’t end discussion, it only starts it – or restarts it. “God told me” is not a slam dunk terminating all exchange. It invites discernment, dipping into the mutually shared truth of Scripture and experience in the believing community, the contemplation of ancient proverbs – into the mix of which your “word” either adds or detracts, confirms or contradicts.

And true havers, rather than caving, will respectfully say so.