Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore, be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.”
– 1 Samuel 19:1-3
Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
– Proverbs:29-32
Devotion
In this passage, Saul leaks a plot to kill David to his servants and his son, Jonathan. Instead of preventing David’s eventual succession to the throne, Jonathan rescues him from Saul. Because he cares deeply for David, Jonathan becomes a savior to David, protecting him from the evil intentions of his own father’s heart.
Likewise, we need to avoid planning evil against others and giving in to jealousy, anger, fear, or hate. Jealousy can cause us to loath people who we should celebrate; anger can cloud our judgment and allow us to give in to sinful ways; fear can cause us to react in desperation; and hate can lead to our own destruction. Instead, we should follow the way of the upright and avoid envy, evil, contention, violence, and ways towards harm. We can rest, instead, in the confidence of the Lord. When we seek the well-being of others, we follow the Golden Rule: In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).
The Big Question
Are there people or situations in your life which are causing you to become increasingly jealous, angry, fearful, or hateful? How can you entrust these to the Lord in confidence instead of trying to take matters into your own hands?
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.