April 1: Jealousy!

1 Samuel 18:6-11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶ As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the Israelite towns, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with timbrels, songs of joy, and instruments of music.

⁷ And the women responded as they laughed and frolicked, saying, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

⁸ And Saul was very angry, for the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed only thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?

⁹ And Saul [jealously] eyed David from that day forward.

¹⁰ The next day an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved [madly] in his house, while David played [the lyre] with his hand, as at other times; and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

¹¹ And Saul cast the javelin, for he thought, I will pin David to the wall. And David evaded him twice.

I have started working more aggressively with the keyboardists in the music ministry. There are at least 15. I told them last time I am teaching them EVERYTHING I know. My plan is for them to say, Okay Vicki taught us everything she knows, now we need another teacher. I told them I want them to excell way past my abilities. Why not? The highest compliment I could receive would be for these musicians to far exceed me. I found them; I nurtured them. Why on earth would I be jealous of them?

So Saul's petty jealousy is hard for me to understand. A mature leader would be happy for David. And rejoice along with him. 

I must not ever be jealous of someone under or over me in ministry.  This is dangerous. And one of satan's evil tools he uses to divide and destroy. 

I have always wanted to have a Whittney Houston type of voice. But I don't have the vocal strength. I don't think I would ever sing like Whittney, even if I were to spend serious money and time on vocal training. I am priviledged to work with many amazing vocalists. Am I jealous of them? No! I sometimes joke around with them and stand in front of them while they're singing and pretend it's me singing their solo. I tell them I want a voice like theirs when I get to heaven. But I do what I do best, and let them do what they do best. And when they get compliments, I am very happy. My heart swells with pride for them.

Just think of how the story could have been if Saul would have loved David and been proud of his accomplishments?

Let this be a sober lesson for all of us. When someone else gets lifted up or noticed, be happy for them! Rejoice with them! And if we feel even a twinge of jealousy, we must fall on our face before the cross, humbly repent and cleanse the evil spirit of jealousy out of our hearts. Because it will destroy us. Just as it destroyed Saul. He was consumed with jealousy and hatred for the rest of his life. 

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30) 

You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Deuteronomy 5:21)

And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:4)

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:26)

If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. (James 3:14-15)

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (I Peter 2:1)

"Dear God, thank You for speaking through Your word to me today. Please continue to work on me, Oh God. I still have a  long way to go to be like You.  And if there's malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of any kind in my heart, please tear it out by the roots! I must remember that as long as I'm on this earth, satan is waiting nearby, ready to pounce on me at any time. I give myself to You again, Oh God. Cleanse me and cover me with Your blood. I thank You for working in me. I thank You for making me more like You. I accept Your chastisement. I much prefer Your discipline over the end result of allowing something like envy to destroy me. I want YOU to reign in me, Oh Lord. I pray this in Your mighty name, the name of Jesus, AMEN."