The X-Factor | Message 3: Revenge or Refuge? | Pastor Chad Dingess | 01/19/2025

1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, you must remain in Him. (MULTILINE)

1 Samuel 18:6-9 (NLT)
When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands. Next, they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (MULTILINE)

1 Samuel 18:10-12 (NLT)
The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But, David escaped him twice. Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. (MULTILINE)

1 Samuel 24:1-2 (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. (MULTILINE)

Psalms 57:1-11 (NIV)
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me–God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts–men whose teeth are spears and arrows, who tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. They speared a net for my feet–I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path–but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. (MULTILINE)

1 Samuel 24:3
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 father back in that very cave! (MULTILINE)

1 Samuel 24:4-7 (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. But 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. (MULTILINE)

Romans 13:1-2 (NLT)
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and they will be punished. (MULTILINE)

1 Peter 2:19-23 (NLT)
For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. (MULTILINE)

1 Samuel 24:8-20 (NLT)
David came out and shouted after him, “My Lord, the King!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? 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.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but it didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. “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, As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.” So, you can be sure I will never harm you. Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then, he began to cry. And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had them in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now, I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. (MULTILINE)