Happy Tuesday! Today is April 16th, 2024. The Old Testament is not often our favorite side of the Bible. We usually turn to the New Testament because it may be easier to understand. But there are huge life lessons and faith implications if we will take the time to search it out. Granted, it’s not easy to draw out those lessons, so let’s walk together and see why God rejected King Saul and called David – “ A man after My own heart.” It was an inside job. Read on …
Today's Reading:
1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3
Scripture
"Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul.” (1 Samuel 18:9-10)
Observation
Make no mistake about it. Both heaven and hell watch the inside activity of our hearts more than the outside. Just because the inside activity is not immediately visible does not mean it isn't toxic. Such was the case with Saul's jealousy of David. The lethal poison lay silent in the king's heart until the songs began.
"Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands!"
The Hebrew word for the "evil spirit from God" is literally a "distressing spirit that God allowed" to come onto Saul. God didn't cause it. However, Saul had already rejected God, and God had already rejected Saul from being king. Saul had opened his heart to hell's intrusion.
Application
This is the litmus test for any leader. A person’s heart is tested not only by what he does but also by what others do.
When others succeed, how does it affect you? How do you respond to accomplishments greater than your own? What happens when the spotlight that was once on you moves to another? Do you rejoice on the inside, or do you groan?
God monitors our inside activity, but so does the enemy. Allowing inside activity to go unchecked will cause our hearts to become susceptible to spirits of jealousy, pride, and fear, and the forces of hell respond with oppressive results.
During times of unexpected outcomes, what dominates your inner conversations? What kind of dialogue unfolds when you feel overlooked or undervalued? How do you process when someone else is promoted ahead of you?
Prayer
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in Your everlasting way. (A prayer of David: a man after God’s own heart. -Ps. 139:23-24)
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