I have always said that in order to give a message, you have to live the message. I think that may have colored the many messages that I brought at The Way, Middleton, when I was pastoring. That thought was brought home in my soul recently as I have been listening to Pastor Laura now bring the messages. She has been hitting me squarely where I have avoided being hit!
One of her recent messages out of 1 Samuel was on jealousy and how that sin played in the downfall of King Saul. I sat there somewhat smugly thinking I had that sinful attitude licked, until that afternoon when it came back full force as I talked with a friend. Sigh.
King Saul was annoyed, and jealousy flamed in him when he heard the songs of the people, “So the women sang as they danced, and said: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.’” [I Samuel 18:7 HCSB]
That song stung Saul and he was furiously about his reputation being less than David’s. I am not jealous about reputation. I am not jealous about what others have. I do not need a newer car or bigger house or more things. I am not interested in clothes or shoes or purses.
But, there is a spot in my heart that keeps flaring with jealously over a particular thing. I thought it was gone, but nope, it is still there. Every now and again it raises its ugly head and reminds me that it is not yet dead.
So back to the cross I go.
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” [Colossians 1:13-14 HCSB]
