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"Jealousy is a Disease... "
July 07, 2022
Daily Devotion:
"Jealousy is a Disease... "
1 Samuel 18:9
New International Version
9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
When we think of the word jealous, typically what comes to mind is a jealous lover. Maybe the one they love has given them reason to be jealous. Maybe not. Ever known anyone whose jealousy was born out of a deep sense of insecurity? Saul must have been that type. He simply couldn't stand it when David's popularity began to eclipse his own. So suddenly he is throwing spears at David, then hoping the Philistines will kill his rival, and-when that fails-even sending men to assassinate David. Not exactly petty jealousy! Yet perhaps we gain further insight into jealousy when we consider that the word fear keeps cropping up alongside Saul's jealousy. What reason would Saul have for fearing David? David wasn't his enemy.
Strangely, the text says that Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David. But why should that make Saul jealous...except for the implication that the Lord was not with Saul? David's only crime, so it seems, was unwittingly being cast in the role of a messenger delivering bad news to Saul. What's a person to do but kill the messenger-as if without his presence as a constant reminder, the hard truth itself would somehow disappear. Jealousy is not just about suspicious lovers. It's about regarding as a threat anyone who makes you look bad by comparison. Jealously happens when you want to be them! So if you've ever had folks throwing spears your way and you can't figure out why, maybe you have given them reason to be jealous. This would put you in good company with David and with all the other people of integrity who are the envy of the world.
The worrying question is: If I have given no one any reason to be jealous of my abundant life in Christ, is it because I am showing them precious little difference?
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By Y.E.S. Jesus Youth Encountering Savior JesusJuly 07, 2022
Daily Devotion:
"Jealousy is a Disease... "
1 Samuel 18:9
New International Version
9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
When we think of the word jealous, typically what comes to mind is a jealous lover. Maybe the one they love has given them reason to be jealous. Maybe not. Ever known anyone whose jealousy was born out of a deep sense of insecurity? Saul must have been that type. He simply couldn't stand it when David's popularity began to eclipse his own. So suddenly he is throwing spears at David, then hoping the Philistines will kill his rival, and-when that fails-even sending men to assassinate David. Not exactly petty jealousy! Yet perhaps we gain further insight into jealousy when we consider that the word fear keeps cropping up alongside Saul's jealousy. What reason would Saul have for fearing David? David wasn't his enemy.
Strangely, the text says that Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David. But why should that make Saul jealous...except for the implication that the Lord was not with Saul? David's only crime, so it seems, was unwittingly being cast in the role of a messenger delivering bad news to Saul. What's a person to do but kill the messenger-as if without his presence as a constant reminder, the hard truth itself would somehow disappear. Jealousy is not just about suspicious lovers. It's about regarding as a threat anyone who makes you look bad by comparison. Jealously happens when you want to be them! So if you've ever had folks throwing spears your way and you can't figure out why, maybe you have given them reason to be jealous. This would put you in good company with David and with all the other people of integrity who are the envy of the world.
The worrying question is: If I have given no one any reason to be jealous of my abundant life in Christ, is it because I am showing them precious little difference?