| Day 218: Read today's devotional on Bible Gateway. Saul's Jealousy of DavidThis was their song: "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands." This made Saul very angry. "What's this" he said. "They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they'll be making him their king!" So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
(1 Samuel 18:7-9) ReflectDavid had greatly helped Saul and the people of Israel. Saul's own appreciation for David turned to jealousy, though, when people began to applaud David's exploits. He saw David becoming a threat to his throne. "Next they'll be making him their king!" Saul had good reason to be worried. Samuel had already told him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else" (1 Samuel 15:28). But Saul refused to give up his power. When God gives us responsibility to serve him, it sometimes comes with a level of authority as well. But when it comes time to give up that authority, doing so can be difficult. Even if we have been faithful in our responsibilities, we're used to the privileges of our authority. And perhaps we're afraid of becoming less important or valuable. Still, we must honor God's plans. It is he who carries them forward, not us. To be part of God's work is a blessing. But when it's time to give it to someone else, that is part of God's plan too. Giving our authority to someone else is yet another way we can serve God and his mission. RespondJealousy can eat away at a person's heart. Ask God to remove all jealousy so that you can have a pure heart before God. | 
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