Read: 1 Samuel 18:5–15
Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 25–27; John 9:1–23
So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. 1 Samuel 18:9 nlt
I gladly agreed to babysit my grandkids while their parents went
out for the evening. After hugs, I asked the boys what they did over the
weekend. (Both had separate adventures.) Bridger, age three, recounted
breathlessly how he got to stay overnight with his aunt and uncle—and he
had ice cream and rode a carousel and watched a movie! Next it was
five-year-old Samuel’s turn. When asked what he did, he said, “Camping.”
“Did you have fun?” I asked. “Not so much,” he answered forlornly.
Samuel experienced the age-old feeling of jealousy. He forgot how
much fun he had camping with his dad when he heard his brother
excitedly tell about his weekend.
All of us can fall prey to jealousy. King
Saul gave in to the green-eyed monster of jealousy when the praise David
received exceeded his: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his
ten thousands!” (1 Sam. 18:7 nlt). Saul was outraged and “from that time on . . . kept a jealous eye on David” (v. 9 nlt). He was so incensed he tried to kill David!
The comparison game is foolish and self-destructive. Someone will
always have something we don’t or enjoy experiences different from ours.
But God has already given us many blessings, including both life on
this earth and the promise of eternal life to all who believe. Depending
on His help and focusing on Him in thankfulness can help us to overcome
jealousy.
Lord, You have given us life and the promise of life eternal if we trust in You as our Savior. For that—and so many other blessings—we give You praise!
The remedy for jealousy is thankfulness to God.
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
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