CHASING DAVID
"5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” 8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward." 1 Samuel 18:5-9.
After David returns from killing Goliath, King Saul invited him to the palace and puts him in charge of some of his soldiers. David conducted himself well and behaved wisely in his new position. He was loyal to the King. Because of his bravery, David became a national hero. Yet he never intentionally raised himself to be above Saul! Even Saul’s son, Jonathan, loved David like a brother. David did his job and served Saul whole-heartedly. Though he had been anointed as Israel's next King by Prophet Samuel, he refused to take part in any attempt to hurry the process. On a certain day, he was returning from the battlefield and the people came out to celebrate him. The women sang and danced saying, “Saul has killed thousands, but David, ten thousands.” Saul heard it and anger filled his heart. He hated it! The comparison infuriated him. At first Saul loved David as a son, until he saw him as a threat to his leadership. The more fame David gains, the more King Saul becomes jealous and envious. He feared losing the kingdom to David. Saul saw him as a threat. And from that moment he plotted to kill David. Saul chased David with an intention to kill him. Sadly, jealousy and envy destroyed Saul.
Jealousy and envy are closely related, but not the same thing. Both were at work in Saul’s life. Together they consumed his soul until his life was filled with anger. The word jealousy can be used in a good sense. Its root is zelos, the same word from which we get zeal, or zealous. This is the jealousy that God experiences for His children. He demands our worship alone. On the other hand, unhealthy jealousy manifests itself through suspicions, fears, lies, threats, self-pity, inadequacy, inferiority and insecurity. It is comparing oneself to others. Unhealthy jealousy is apprehension. It is the fear of losing something valuable. Unhealthy jealousy is viewing someone else’s success as a threat. It is the fear that something which you have will be taken away. Unhealthy jealousy is when you worry someone will take what you have. It robs you of the joy of your achievements. Unhealthy jealousy defiles your motives, thoughts, and actions. "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" Proverbs 27:4.
In contrast, envy is resentment. It is the feeling of gloom when you see the success of others. Envy strikes when we compare ourselves to those we consider in our class. We only envy those we perceive as close to us. When we envy, we can’t bear to hear others being complimented in our presence. When we envy, we’re glad when others are going through tough times and sad when they are celebrating. Envy starts with desire! Envy is to dislike someone who already has what we desire. "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." James 3:16. People who envy you believe you are better or that you're going to be better than them. Envy can make you bitter, insecure, spiteful, unforgiving, and harsh. It devalues your self-esteem, robs you of peace of mind, and destroy your relationships. Envy breeds hatred and resentment. It has led many to steal or kill to make sure the thing they wanted was not enjoyed by others. An example is King Ahab in 1 Kings 21:1-16. In collaboration with his wife, they killed Naboth in other to take his family land. Envy can take you from being a close friend to a bitter adversary. It can break up families, tear apart churches and ruin relationships. Envy blinds you to your own potentials. Psalm 139:13-16. Envy divides your focus and determination. Envy wastes your time and energy. It causes us to doubt the motives of those who are kind to us. Envy hinders our ability to see others objectively. It can kill your joy, hope, and peace. Envy, if not confessed, repented of and controlled can lead to bitterness. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30.
STOP COMPARISON:
The greatest source of conflict today is identity crisis, and with identity crisis comes comparison, competition, jealousy, envy and strife. To compare, by definition, means to estimate, measure or pinpoint similarities and differences between two or more things. Envy is comparison! Apostle Paul identified comparison as one of the central issues that caused the Corinthian church to decline. He warned, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” 2 Corinthians 10:12. Comparison is foolishness! It denies your uniqueness. Comparison blinds you to your own talents and gifts. Psalm 139:13-16. Comparison causes discontent. It leaves you empty. So have you been playing the comparison game? With whom and why are you comparing? What impact is it having on your peace of mind? The moment you start comparing yourself to those around you, you’ll start thinking of the things you don’t have. When we compare, we become confused. When we compare, we can stray from God. When we compare, we don’t appreciate our position. When we compare, it will cause us to either consider ourselves superior or inferior. When we compare, we may conclude we are failures. When we compare, we become distressed, discouraged, and depressed.
God made you! He made you for a purpose. What God has in mind for you isn't the same as for someone else. With Him each person is different from another. None else has what He has deposited in you. You’re not a failure. There’s nobody like you. You can’t be comparable to anybody else. So don't try to be somebody else. Life's not a competition! You don't have to compare and compete! Don’t get distracted by what’s going on in other people’s lives. Keep your eyes on the path ahead of you, and be content with what God is doing in your life. Embrace your uniqueness, and quit trying to be like others. What God has in mind for you isn't the same as for someone else. Keep improving on yesterday's efforts! Don’t be blinded by your success of yesterday. Keep improving. Isaiah 43:18-19. Embrace the gifts and talents that make you who you are, and the calling that only you can fulfill. You're unique, set apart for a specific purpose. Don’t try to be anyone else.
1. Admit there's a problem.
2. Confess it. Agree with God that envy is wrong and cry out to Him to remove it from your life.
3. Deal with the thought of envy or jealousy and do not allow it have foothold in your mind. Romans 12:2.
4. Make the Word of God your guide. Psalm 119:11, 105; Colossians 3:16.
5. Cultivate the presence of God daily.
Saul, driven by jealousy and envy, sought for an opportunity to kill David. But he could not because of the presence of God. 1 Samuel 18:28. Indeed, God's blessings upon your life will invite envy. As He lifts you higher, others will try to pull you down. But keep your heart pure! Walk in love. Forgive. Be wise. Be humble. Stay in God’s will. Keep away from sin. The Lord will order your steps. He'll turn their stumbling blocks into stepping stones. God will help you.
6. Be grateful for what you have. Instead of focusing so much on what you don’t have. Proverbs 15:16; 1 Timothy 6:6.
7. Trust God. When it looks like God’s blessing somebody in a way that He’s not blessing you, you need to trust God. Just believe that He knows what’s best for you. Even when you can’t see it, you need to trust Him when life seems unfair.
8. Love.
Instead of feeling like Saul, we should follow his son Jonathan’s example. He had every reason to compare himself to David. He was rightfully the heir to the throne. But he trusted in the Lord, celebrated his friend’s success and tried to encourage David at every opportunity he had. Love genuinely; it does not envy. Love is not proud; it is not selfish.
9. Find someone who needs your help. Be a blessing to someone.
10. Attend to your garden.
Your ministry, home, career, and business, like a garden, can be whatever you put into it. Instead of longing for a 'greener garden,' press in deeper to the assignment God has called you into. Each of us has a God-assigned purpose and garden to take care of. My lane isn’t yours and yours isn’t mine! Avoid meaningless comparison! Be humble. Be faithful. Care for what you have. Be hardworking. Don't be lazy. Water your garden; tend to it daily. Learn to be content with what God has given you. Blossom where you are called. Maintain your focus. God doesn't want us to compare ourselves to others.
CHASING AFTER GOD:
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1. David was a God seeker!
The word seek means to crave, chase, or pursue. Each of us ought to long for a deeper fellowship with God. Colossians 3:1-2. To seek after God then is to have an intimate relationship with Him. It is to desire more of His presence. Seeking after God should be our first priority. Matthew 6:33. The more time we spend with Him, the better we will know Him. Set aside a consistent time every day to meet with God. This includes time in the Word, renewing your mind. It includes time in prayer, thanksgiving, praise and worship. "But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29. Do it continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11. When you seek God whole-heartedly, He'll reward you. Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 34:10. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33.
Are you dealing with jealousy and envy today? It is a sin! You can't chase sin and pursue God at the same time. So repent. Turn to Jesus! Confess your sin. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Pray this prayer: LORD Jesus, I come to You right now. I know I am a sinner, please forgive me. With my mouth, I declare that Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. With my new heart, I believe that it is because of me that You came into this world; You died for my sins, take away my problems, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus name. Amen.
"6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:6-7.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, forgive me when I grumble over how You bless others, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, I thank You for the unique gifts You’ve given to each one of your children, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me to avoid meaningless comparison and arguments, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, if there is any envy, malice, jealousy, or hatred in my heart, please reveal it to me, and give me the courage and good sense to face it, in Jesus name.
5. Father, thank You for hearing and answering my prayer, in Jesus name.
