Persecuted By Jealousy

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KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, April 13, 2018
Chapters: I Samuel 18-20, Psalms 11 & 59
Message: Persecuted By Jealousy

Hello My Friend,

As Christians we face a lot of opposition because of the fact that we walk with Christ. The saved who are not really walking with Christ are jealous of those who do. Why? Because He is always with us. He would be with them too, but they refuse to make Him Lord of their lives and are not blessed because of that. We need not fear those who come after us because of their jealousy, God will take care of them, we just may have to face some difficulties for a while. “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” – Proverbs 24:19-20.

It is not uncommon for Christians to get jealous when God blesses others over them, especially when they know they have done wrong. Victory for Israel, David killed Goliath and Israel defeated the Philistines, news got around quick of their victory and David made a lot of friends, including Saul’s son, Jonathan. The whole town gathered to celebrate their victory, but not everyone was happy about it, when the women started shouting that David killed ten thousands and Saul only killed thousands he got extremely jealous.

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. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.” – I Samuel 18:6-12.

because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.” Saul knew that God was with David and that scared him to death. God does not put fear in us, the devil does that, he can put so much fear in us that instead of being protective we become possessive, and will do anything to have that control again. We can overcome fear, but we must look to God, He is our strength, and He will show us how to handle intimidation to correct way. Saul was so envious and jealous of David’s success and relationship with God that the only solution he had to overcome it was to kill him. Saul sends him into battle with the Philistines, got him to marry his own daughter, and even tried to get his son Jonathan, who was a great friend to David to kill him. In fact, David wrote this Psalm to remind him that God is always with because he trusts Him. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” – Psalm 11:1-3.

Jealousy is like a disease, it slowly spreads until it consumes and controls the person that it captures and stops at nothing to destroy what gets in its way. People of the world do not need a reason to try to destroy a child of God, the truth is that they see the blessings that God gives them and that enrages them because their lives are a mess and getting worse the more they try to destroy the threat. Saul saw David as a threat and was not about to stop pursuing him until he was dead. Once again he was after David, but Michal helps David escape.

And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.” – I Samuel 19:9-11,18-20.

And Saul sent messengers to take David:Every one that Saul sent to capture and kill David found out the truth as God showed them that he would be their new king. It was this prayer that David spoke to help him. To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.” – Psalm 59:1-5.

Saul became increasingly violent with an uncontrolled temper, he considered any opposition as treason. So, when his own son defended David he denounced him as the next king and even attempted to kill him as well.

Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.” – I Samuel 20:30-34,42.

Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan,” Jonathan became a victim when he defended David, he could have avoided any risk to himself if he had decided not to get involved, but he knew that he was defending an innocent man. Now, no matter how strong our faith in God, we can get a little discouraged at times when it seems that nothing is going our way. God is on our side and it is through our discouragement that He will comfort us more than ever. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” – I Peter 5:10.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” – I Samuel 18:4.

Today’s Prayer: God, It seems like Christians are being persecuted more than ever from those who are jealous at Your blessing their lives. Lord, give us Your power to keep living by faith and not in fear of those who are jealous of us. Give us Your strength to stand up for ourselves, and not be afraid to confront them. And give us the wisdom, guidance, and love that only You can give us to handle the situations we are faced with. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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