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Saturday, May 16th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
John 8:31-59
Psalm 112:1-10
Proverbs 15:12-14
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1lHVy3j
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
So Saul eyed David from that day forward. And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul… – 1 Sam 18:9-10
Saul and David led Israel’s armies into victory over the Philistines. Goliath was dead, and there was much to celebrate! Yet Saul was focusing on other things. As the armies of Israel returned home, the women of Israel sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” – 1 Sam 18:7
Saul despised David from that day forward. Saul let bitterness get the best of him. He was the King over Israel; he had it all! David was the servant and man of war he had been praying for: an excellent administrator, and a fearless leader on the battlefield.
Instead of celebrating David’s victory with him, Saul became jealous. We do this all the time: even if we have thousands of Instagram followers, we become bitter when someone else has more! Even if we’ve experienced spiritual victories left and right, we become bitter when someone else experiences victory and we’re left out!
The distressing spirit had access to Saul (v 10) because Saul opened the door by harboring bitterness. Because Saul could not celebrate with David, Satan was granted access to him. When we let bitterness creep into our lives, the door is opened; but when we cast our cares upon the Lord and celebrate in the victories of our brothers and sisters, the door to Satan is slammed shut!
Prayer:
Father, expose any part of my heart that is harboring bitterness. In Jesus’ mighty name, I cast all my cares upon You! I don’t want to hang on to anything that isn’t mine to bear. I give it all to You, and I take Your supernatural ease in exchange!