“Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
In most cartoons we see the good guy winning the day in the end. The bad guy concocts some huge plan to take over the world or to kill the good guy only to have his plans fail time and time again. I like CSI Miami because Horatio Cane is always a step ahead of the bad guy he is tracking. All throughout the episode you know that in the end Horatio Cane will get his man. I also love the theme song.
In chapter 18 of 1 Samuel, David comes back with Saul from the biggest fight of his life and is now part of Saul’s officials. To start off, all the young women of Israel shout out that David has killed his ten thousands and Saul is thousands. This angers Saul and he keeps watch over David. Saul then plans to get rid of David by sending him into battle to fight the Philistines. That does not work. He then offers both of his daughters to him in marriage. He declines on one and the other is madly in love with David so they end up getting married. However, David had to kill 100 Philistines as a payment for her. Saul’s plan was to have David killed by the Philistines, which also utterly fails. You might ask how. Well, the Lord was with David everywhere he went. Success followed him like a puppy and he grew in favor with all of Israel. Saul, on the other hand, continued to grow angrier by the day and wanted to kill David by whatever means he could.
We find the villain and the hero on the same side of battle lines. The battles we face in life often seem a lot like this one. You and your villain are often on the same side of life, they could be your brother, your sister, your boss etc. My dad always said that Satan would love to get your goat. He does this by creating a villain from within your own camp, your own family, your coworker even. Satan temped Eve who then gave the fruit to Adam, her husband. Cain, Abel’s brother, kills him out of jealousy. Aaron, Moses’ brother, lets the people build a golden calf while Moses is on the mountain getting the ten commandments. Most notable of all we have Judas, one of the original twelve disciples betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
The pattern has been set since God created mankind, Satan attacks from within. The good news is that with the Lord on your side, you can take down every Goliath that comes against you. David, a young man, declares in chapter 17 verse 47 that, ” All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” No matter who your villain is the Bible says in Psalms 91:12 “They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.”
Jesus wants to walk with you in the time of your battles and your successes. Often times we try to go at it alone, get discouraged, and lose heart or even worse; we end up like Saul hating the very success we see in our friends and family. Today, realize the Lord is at the door knocking and he wants to guide you and keep you in perfect peace. Don’t let the battles of today ruin tomorrow. Instead, acknowledge him in all your ways and He will direct your path even in valley of the shadow of death.
Prayer: Father, help me be aware of all of Satan’s attacks upon me and all those that are close to me. Help me model the example of Christ-like forgiveness, mercy, and the love that I have freely received from you. I didn’t have to earn it, buy it, or deserve it. Thank you for giving me the strength to show love even to those that hate us and try to kill us, just like David and Saul. May your kingdom come, your will be done in my life and my relationships. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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