January 15, 2023

Passage Read: 1 Samuel 17-20
Meditation Verse: 18:8

Thought

Saul already had problems with the Lord and with humility before Him. He knew the Lord planned to hand the kingdom over to another, but he was determined to keep it. He should have known better, but he already showed he didn't respect or fear the Lord very much. So it's no wonder he would give in to jealousy, even more as he realized David was the one chosen by God to succeed him. All his efforts to eliminate David failed, but he wouldn't give up until God put him to death. His jealousy and disobedience to the Lord brought civil war to the kingdom. It would have been far better for everyone if he had just repented and bowed to the Lord's will.

Application

I need to be careful not to give in to jealousy when I find others better than me at one thing or another. Especially when it comes to the things of God. Saul thought the kingdom was his, but it was actually God's. Same is true for this church or any ministry opportunity I have: They belong to the Lord and the Lord has every right to do with them as He pleases. I'm a steward of it until the Lord brings the next steward, and I need to remember that because it is the Lord's, I need to do with it as He directs, and stand ready at any time to hand it over to whomever the Lord chooses next. And in the meantime, I need to seek His will for them and do it.