Do you measure up?
by Faye Schmidt
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Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands (1 Samuel 18:7).
Read 1 Samuel 18:5–16
At first glance, jealousy may not seem like a major sin in our daily lives. We may get a little jealous of people from time to time, but that’s not dangerous, right?
In today’s text, Saul shows us that jealousy is actually one step short of murder.
Saul reacted in extreme jealousy against David. David was so successful in any mission Saul sent him on that the people started singing: ‘Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands’ (1 Samuel 18:7). That’s enough to make anyone angry and jealous. Saul was the king, yet his people were praising David instead of him.
Saul’s jealousy stemmed from fear and insecurity. Saul was afraid because David was closer to God than he was, and he was worried David would take over as king of the Israelites. Saul fed his own insecurities and let his jealousy grow, and in doing so, he gave Satan a foothold in his life. Saul’s jealousy grew so deep that he actually attempted to kill David on more than one occasion (1 Samuel 18:10,11).
We all experience jealousy. However, as we see with Saul, it is extremely dangerous to let jealousy fester and grow in our lives.
When we are confident in who God made us to be, we stop comparing ourselves with others and focus on what God is doing in our own lives. Instead of letting Satan use jealousy against us the way Saul did, let’s submit our anger and envy to the Lord and watch him take the burden from us.
You are special. You are unique. No-one else has your DNA. Through the saving grace of God in Jesus, who died to overcome the consequences of judgement for sins like jealousy, you can be confident that he loves and accepts you as you are.
O God, who in love created me and in love still preserves me, who loved me by sending your Son to suffer and die that I may live with you, give me patience in my hope, and make me more constant in my love for others. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
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