Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 1 Samuel 18:8 NIV
Jealousy is displeasure over someone else’s good fortune. Unchecked, it influences our attitudes, conversations, and actions. It eventually damages relationships and inflicts great pain on others. King Saul’s jealousy caused him to distrust David, the young warrior who had served him by defeating Goliath. David loved the king and risked his life to help the kingdom. But envy clouded Saul’s judgment. Bitterness and hostility combined with Saul’s already suspicious attitude and confused mind. Leading to irrational behaviour. As David played music for him, the king went into a rant and hurled a spear at the young man (1 Samuel 18:11). He later removed David from his presence, sending his loyal servant to the battlefield. David’s faithful service was “rewarded” with the king’s hatred, a severed relationship, and death threats. As a result, David was forced to flee. Our minds, like Saul’s, will tend to dwell on a person or situation we envy. Fueled by jealousy, our suspicion, confusion, bitterness, and hostility will grow stronger. Fear and resentment complete the picture of jealousy. We’re afraid we’ll fail to achieve the wealth, career status, or privileges of someone else. We may even resent that person’s accomplishments. In time, we may look for reasons to avoid being around that individual, eventually choosing to break off the relationship entirely. Let us open our hearts before the Lord. Are any of these feelings true in our lives?
PRAYER THOUGHT
Holy Spirit, reveal any feelings of jealousy in our lives.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Holy Spirit, reveal any jealous feelings in our hearts, so that our thinking does not become clouded with anger and bitterness. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Jeremiah 20:7-18
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