SixThirty3 Student Ministry

Today's text: 1 Samuel 19:1-24

Today's passage records Saul's intense jealousy toward David and his numerous attempts to murder David. His son Jonathan reasons with his father and secures a temporary peace when Saul agrees not to kill David. That lasts only until the Israelites go to war with the Philistines again and David leads the Israelites to victory over the Philistines. Saul's jealousy rears its ugly head again and he tries to pin David to the palace wall with a spear (yes--AGAIN!!! If I was David, I think I might have remembered how Saul had tried to kill me by pinning me to a wall with his spear twice before and at least made sure that there wasn't a spear in the room with us!). David flees to his home but Saul sends agents to pursue him there also. With the help of Michal, David escapes to Naioth where he hides. Saul sends 3 different groups of agents to grab David and bring him back but each time the Spirit of God came upon the agents and they were unable to bring David back. Finally, Saul himself goes after David but he encounters the same fate as the agents he had sent before.

Here's what God spoke to me about this morning:

1. Jealousy is an ugly thing. It prevents us from walking in step with God. Saul's jealousy of David led to his murderous pursuit of him. It wasn't logical--all David had done was lead the Israelites to victory over the Philistine army. You would think the Israelite king would be happy about that. But he wasn't! He was jealous of David's ability and notoriety.
   
   Jealousy blinds us to the truth. It keeps us from walking in step with God. It has DEVASTATING effects on our lives. Which is why we need to search our hearts for any trace of jealousy. Do we rejoice in the successes of others or do their successes and victories leave us frustrated or discouraged.
   
2. God protects His own. Saul had plenty of opportunity to kill David. He tried numerous times and various ways to do it. But each time God delivered David from him. No matter how hard Saul tried, he couldn't kill David.
   
   Do you belong to God? Are you sealed by the Holy Spirit? If you are His child, then rest in knowing that there is NOTHING that comes against you that He hasn't allowed; nor that He can't protect you from! Those who are His rest securely in HIs hand.