DCLM Daily Manna 11 November 2019 – Envy Enthroned

Topic: Envy Enthroned
[DCLM Daily Manna 11 November 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi] Text: 1 Samuel 22:6-10

Key Verse: “That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” – (1 Samuel 22:8).

The thought of a neighbour’s success often leaves natural man with the feeling of envy. Satan wanted to take the place of God but was debased. Cain killed his brother Abel and Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of envy.

King Saul, in our text, had become very displeased with David since the day the women of Israel ascribed more glory to him than to the king (1 Samuel 18:7-9). At this point, the monster had become so enthroned in Saul’s life that he left the business of the kingdom in pursuit of David. Instead of being at the palace, he pitched his tent in Gibeah under a tree with his servants. Envy made him to imagine and believe falsehood, suspecting even his own son to have confederated with David to kill him. All his efforts to get information concerning David and Jonathan from his servant proved abortive. However, Deog, the Edomite informed him against Ahimelech the priest’s kindness to David.

The word of God stands against envy, it is numbered among the works of the flesh “…envy slayest the silly one” (Job 5:2). “…but envy is the rottenness of bones” (Proverbs 14:30). As a Christian who is looking heavenward, you must thoroughly guard your heart against the spirit of envy. This is only made when self is crucified. Many believers are still struggling with the self -life and where self exist, envy will thrive.

You must seek the Lord for the circumcision of your heart to be set free from self indulgence. Remember that envy, if allowed, is dangerous to the well-being of the soul. It tends to pride; it debases and can eventually lead to self-destruction as it did to Saul.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: An envious, discounted spirit loses God’s favour.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 1-2