Ego

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?” - 1 Samuel 18:7-8

     Jealousy and pride are best friends. As a man, the pride issue is always present in my life. I understand exactly what Saul is feeling in this passage, but I also understand exactly how silly and childish this feeling really is. Number one, Saul is taking out his anger at himself on David. David has done nothing but what God wanted him to do which is exactly what Saul has not been doing. Saul's guilty conscience burns greater and greater as he witnesses David being the man that he should have been. Second, Saul is jealous of the people's love and respect for David rather than their current king. And third, Saul's pride is hurt by his "thousands" being less than David's "ten thousands". I must be cautious of these very same issues in my daily life. The godliness of those around me can either inspire me to do better or do bitter. If I don't see fellow Christians as an encouragement, Satan will use them as a discouragement. Second, I must not allow other people's popularity and lifestyles make me jealous of the life God has blessed me with. I know deep down that if I actually shared my jealousy with those people they would probably be shocked and tell me how they wanted my life or some other life that seems better. Satan always makes the grass look greener somewhere else. And third, I must rejoice in the fact that I have "thousands". A thousand is a lot, maybe not compared to ten thousand, but it's still a lot. We must learn to be content where we are. If I am unwilling to be aware of these three dangers I know I will soon find myself in Saul's shoes. A man quickly falling from the head of Israel to a bitter reject fighting against the family of God. May I always be aware of the pride and jealousy lurking within.