Today’s Reading 1 Samuel 18-20
Focal Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:15 “When Saul observed that David was very successful, he dreaded him.”
Not supporting others is a difficult idea for me to grasp. Wanting to see others succeed and believing that they have good intentions is a trait that I have. I firmly believe that there are no failures in life, only learning opportunities. Unfortunately, I have witnessed many people try to sabotage others who are successful. Why? Because thy are jealous and do not want to see others succeed unless they are part of that success. They dread for others to be lifted up and elevated with success.
When reading these scriptures the last few days it always troubles me how Saul is consumed with jealously, dread and fear over David’s success. Saul knows his time as king is coming to an end. Instead of rejoicing in David’s success he tries to end his life. If David is successful that means the nation will be successful. The big picture is always more important than personal feelings. However, Saul did not want to give us his position. He liked the power. He liked the authority and being called king. We do not see him wanting to be called a servant of the Most High God. His heart was conceited and it showed up in his pursuit of David.
This is another area I struggle with personally. When people allow feelings to get in the way of others success it shows a lack of maturity on their part. When great things happen and God is being magnified, that should be the focus. Many people though want to shine the spotlight on themselves. Or even try to tell stories that are bigger and better than the one they just heard and listened to so they can upstage a person and get attention. That is not what the Bible tells us our attitude should be like. We should be humble and desire to lift others up.
Instead most people respond like Saul. When the attention is off of them they want to hurt the other individual. They may not try to end their life but they may try to end relationships, ministries, or kill their reputation. I have also seen this take place in several settings and the attempts to assassinate another persons character is absurd in my opinion. Saul, had an opportunity to acknowledge his sin and pass leadership to the next chosen man. That would have been mature. That would have shown he understood that God is the focus of the nation. He could have set the stage of humility and worship. Instead he choose to try and ruin another person.
The challenge for believers today is to rejoice in others who God is using. Even if that means that your status declines. The big picture goal is for God to be glorified. His statutes to be followed. To be obedient to his mission. To build others up and not tear them down to make ourselves look better or to hope for their failure. I remember one leader who purposefully did not help another person because they wanted to see if “they had the chops” to do it on their own. They offered no help and no advise. When I witnessed this I intervened and went to help this person. Their success was for the benefit of all not for them as an individual. The leader who did this was more concerned with talent of the person then the heart of the person. It was a shocking and terrible leadership moment for this individual. Thankfully, the person never found out how they were treated or what the original plan was because that would have been devastating.
So are you one who celebrates the success of others or do you have dread because it’s not you? Don’t be like Saul and hate the success of others. Be a person who has humility and a heart to build others up in every area of their life, even it if takes the shine off of you personally.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 1 Samuel 21-24
