And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. (1 Sam. 18:6-9)
David’s triumph over Goliath by the hand of the LORD is praised in song and with instruments. When David, as a young man, is praised for his victories over so many more than Saul, Saul becomes jealous of David and realizes that David has all but the kingdom. Saul was wary of David and kept an eye on him, viewing him no longer as a servant to Saul but as a rival and an enemy. Saul even attempted at one point to slay David with a javelin and though he gave Michal to David for a wife, thinking she might have some influence, Saul did not like the friendship between David and Jonathan. Saul’s jealousy and issues led him to pursue the destruction of the servant of the LORD instead of rejoicing in what God did through David.
Jealousy led to rage as Saul, whether he truly recognized the kingdom was being transferred to David or not, heard the praises of the women of Israel in song. The victories they ascribed to David were so much more that Saul, despite the fact that God had already declared that Israel would be ruled by another, saw David as a threat to his rule. Saul was jealous of David’s popularity with the people, his victories in battle, and his friendship with his son Jonathan. Saul never once praised God for Israel’s victory but attempted to control David through his daughter Michal and to keep him nearby to either diminish his influence or to kill him at any opportunity.
Jealousy and rage have no place in the life and ministry of the believer in Jesus Christ. In the church Christians are to submit one to another, seeking the blessings of God for all ministries and reaching out to those who are lost and do not have a saving relationship with God through faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Not only should we decrease personally as Christ in us increases, but our ministries should glorify God and not be a source of envy or contention. That which God brings us to, whether teaching, ministry, missions, or leadership, is not for us to control or for us to brag of what we have and are doing, but that God may be glorified in what He is doing in, thru, and for us, and for those who are lost. He has called His people, not to their own ways, but to follow Him and to be like Him, as we reach the lost with the Good News, teach the nations all that He has commanded, and preach His Word with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Until the Day when He comes for His own, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Jealousy led to rage as Saul, whether he truly recognized the kingdom was being transferred to David or not, heard the praises of the women of Israel in song. The victories they ascribed to David were so much more that Saul, despite the fact that God had already declared that Israel would be ruled by another, saw David as a threat to his rule. Saul was jealous of David’s popularity with the people, his victories in battle, and his friendship with his son Jonathan. Saul never once praised God for Israel’s victory but attempted to control David through his daughter Michal and to keep him nearby to either diminish his influence or to kill him at any opportunity.
Jealousy and rage have no place in the life and ministry of the believer in Jesus Christ. In the church Christians are to submit one to another, seeking the blessings of God for all ministries and reaching out to those who are lost and do not have a saving relationship with God through faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Not only should we decrease personally as Christ in us increases, but our ministries should glorify God and not be a source of envy or contention. That which God brings us to, whether teaching, ministry, missions, or leadership, is not for us to control or for us to brag of what we have and are doing, but that God may be glorified in what He is doing in, thru, and for us, and for those who are lost. He has called His people, not to their own ways, but to follow Him and to be like Him, as we reach the lost with the Good News, teach the nations all that He has commanded, and preach His Word with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Until the Day when He comes for His own, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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