Leviticus 8:35 | 1 Samuel 24:13
There’s a hymn that has echoed in my spirit for years—words that remind me who I am and why I move the way I do, even when others don’t understand:
“A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.”
— Charles Wesley
Throughout my life, people have said, “If I were you, I would’ve done this…” or “I would’ve said that…”—as if my silence means weakness or that my restraint means I’m unaware. But I’m very aware. I see clearly. I feel deeply. And yet, I choose obedience over impulse, calling over clapping, and purpose over pettiness.
I do not move to please people; I live to glorify God. That’s why I respond the way I do. Not with bitterness, but with grace. Not with revenge, but with restraint. I have a charge to keep and a God to glorify.
My Charge Comes from God, Not People
In Leviticus 8:35, God instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons to remain at the entrance of the Tabernacle, day and night, doing everything the Lord required to fulfill their priestly calling. That scripture reminds me that being faithful to God’s charge often requires unwavering commitment, discipline, and doing things differently than others expect.
God has charged me to love—not just the lovable, but my enemies. He’s called me to be good to those who hate me, to bless those who curse me, and to pray for those who spitefully use me. And I’m not doing this out of weakness—I do it because that’s what He requires.
Like David, I Refuse to Return Evil for Evil
Nowhere is this more powerfully illustrated than in the life of David. While Saul relentlessly hunted him, seeking to take his life, God never allowed Saul to succeed. But God did allow David to find Saul—more than once—and gave him the opportunity to take Saul’s life.
But David didn’t do it.
Instead, he said something that still speaks volumes to me today:
“From evil people come evil deeds.” — 1 Samuel 24:13
David knew who he was. He understood that being chosen by God came with a charge—a higher standard, a higher purpose. Though David was wronged, threatened, and betrayed, he still honored Saul, even referring to him as “my lord the king.”
David wasn’t looking for revenge or reconciliation—he was living in obedience. Even after Saul went home, David and his men returned to their stronghold, showing that boundaries can exist without bitterness.
Why I Do What I Do
I’ve learned to walk away without clapping back. I’ve learned to respond to offense with grace and distance without drama. Not because I don’t feel—but because I fear God more than I feel people.
If we never reconnect, I still want the best for you. If you curse me, I’ll still bless you. If you chase me down with malice, you still won’t catch me—because my life is not in your hands. My life is safe in God’s care.
This is not weakness. It’s worship.
It’s not passive. It’s purposeful.
It’s not about being right. It’s about being righteous.
Final Thoughts
Maybe you’ve been misunderstood…
Maybe people expect you to react, to retaliate, to return fire with fire.
But remember this: you don’t have to prove your strength when you’re walking in purpose.
When you know you have a charge to keep and a God to glorify, you can move differently. You can respond with grace, choose restraint over reaction, and walk away without walking in bitterness.
Like David, you don’t have to fight every battle—just the ones God assigns to you. And if He didn’t assign it, it’s not yours to carry.
So keep your eyes on the charge.
Honor God with your actions.
Let your life glorify Him in every situation.
You don’t have to be like them. Just be faithful to Him.
You’ve got a charge to keep… and a God to glorify.