Today’s Encouragement is, “When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David’s enemy for the rest of his life.” 1 Samuel 18:28-29 NLT
The Lord Was With David –
We all know about David and Goliath. How God prepared and strengthened David in courage to face this massive, murderous man head-on!
As a young boy, he faced his brother’s jealousy, lions and bears, Goliath, and then an even more deadly enemy! King Saul, his boss and father-in-law, repeatedly tried to kill him.
Finally, after years of persecution from Saul, mercifully, Saul died. But a new enemy arose a few years later, his very own son, Absalom!
Just like David, a man after God’s own heart, we also will often be opposed by those who are jealous of God’s favor upon our lives. Some will recognize the blessings of God and praise Him for His kindness to His servants, but many others, just like Saul, will only be enraged by the blessings that God lavishes on His dearly loved people.
Because we are sinful, selfish, and jealous people, we are all tempted to resent others who seem to be more fortunate than we are. When we envy God’s blessings on another, we are on terribly thin ice, because when God chooses to honor a person and we choose to resent that person, we are setting ourselves against God! We are claiming that He is unfair and wrong! And my friend, that is a recipe for disaster!
Opposition does not mean God’s disfavor. It may instead be an affirmation of His Favor.
Father, help us to rest in Your Love and Grace, and realize this is often accompanied by opposition.
Your Love Defends Me
Matt Maher
Today’s Encouragement 