Pastor Bob DuPar
May 16, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14.

Observation

David certainly was blessed by God so that he was successful in all that he did:

“Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.’ (1 Samuel 18:5)

But, after the song that the ladies sang in which David was the true hero, “from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (18:9)

Saul’s proposition for his daughter Michal’s hand in marriage is bazaar and gross at best. How are you going to get Philistine foreskins unless you kill them? And, once you kill them – why the foreskins? What’s the point?

Jesus’ discussion with the Jews in 8:31-38 reveals that we are all slaves: either slaves to sin and evil or slaves to God for righteousness.

Finally, I love Jesus’ claim to deity in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” Jesus is not just claiming existence before Abraham, He is claiming to be the great “I Am” of the OT: Yahweh Himself!

Application

Jealousy is a sad condition. No good ever comes of it. I would rather be a slave to God than a slave to sin. (The deception of Satan is that when we live in the flesh and for the flesh we really think that we’re living-out our own passions and desires rather than his.)

Prayer

“God, please guard me from jealousy. May I live for Your will and not mine.”