Main Verse: 1 Samuel 18

Good morning!

            After successfully defeating the giant, David returned to camp with Goliath’s weapons and the decapitated head of Goliath. The events had not escaped the attention of Saul because, as I believe, he had some idea that this young welp could be his likely successor. When his son Jonathan and David became friends, Jonathan gave his royal cape and weapons to David; this action signified that Jonathan had signed over the position as 2^nd in command to David which angered Saul. As second in command, David was sent out to fight the kingdom’s battles.  When David returned from battle having defeated the enemy, the people exalted David by saying, “Saul has killed his 1000s but David has killed his 10s of thousands”; Which caused a seed of jealousy in Saul’s heart.

            The little seed grew rapidly in Saul’s heart because “Envy” had tilled the soil and watered it with poison. The Devil capitalized on Saul’s dilemma and used the rapidly growing seed to kill David. With the Devil firmly ensconced in his heart, Saul became angry and went out of control so, David was called in to play music with the hope of calming their king down (1 Peter 5:8, Psalms 32:7). The Devil abhors praise music because it chases him/her away so he/she will do anything to stop it even if it means killing an innocent person (Psalms 8:2). Today many of you, like Saul and the Devil, has watched your dreams, aspirations, coveted job, and/or marriage go up in smoke because of sin. If that wasn’t bad enough when another person takes over or gets the job worked hard to get is tapped for the job or your ex-spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend finds that special person and abandons you. When these things happen, you will hear the words of Saul, the Devil, and anyone who has faced the same situation say, “Revenge, sabotage, and/or kill them!”. If I am speaking to you today, may I counsel you in the name of all that is Holy to bring your hurts, pains, sorrows, and sins to the Cross of Calvary and lay them down, confess your part of the problem, and take responsibility for them! Don’t allow jealousy and envy to be your spokesperson because they will destroy you (1 John 1:5-9, Isaiah 1:18-20). No, you will in all likelihood not get back what you lost but your heart will be at peace and the Lord will provide for you and care for you (Ssong 2:3-4).

I.H.S. MK

Father,

Wisdom plays the flute in the streets and square (Matthew 11:16-19); you gave us the choice to listen to her or reject her. Many today who are reading this post have, like Saul, rejected the words of the wise and for our efforts are ruined (Proverbs 1:20-33, Proverbs 11:29). We are frail human beings in constant need of a Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:8-12). I pray for those who today are like Saul and feel that their world was stolen from them when, in truth, they had put their jobs, family, and relations on the table as a wager for a greater thing in the name of “Greed” and lost everything. Father, please forgive our foolishness and lead us to the Rock that is higher than us (Psalm 60).

In Jesus’ Name