The World's Problem with God
Our world is at odds with God. There's no doubt about that from scripture's perspective. We are born rebellious and hateful toward Him. Our hearts need to be changed if we are to experience His goodness and grace.
The story of Saul's animosity of David provides a clear picture of what we should expect from the higher ranks of our world.
1 Samuel 18:27–30 (ESV) David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. 28 But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually. 30 Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.
Saul has ZERO reasons to want David dead. David killed Goliath, has won great victories for the kingdom and now has followed his command to destroy his enemies for the sake of his daughter's hand in marriage. Yet no matter how much good David does for Saul's kingdom, his jealous rage leads him to murderous intent. Why is this so?
The text is begging us to see the real problem with Saul. Saul does not have an issue with David. He has an issue with God. He knows he's rejected God and God has rejected him. He knows his kingdom will come to an end. He knows God is with David. Note the text:
1 Samuel 18:28–29 (ESV) when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David,... Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually."
Does it seem to you Christian, that the world is against you? If not, it is because you are too cozy with the world's standards and practices. You may have yet to receive the new birth. Check yourself, scripture says (2 Corinthians 13:5). Once the new birth happens, there's no doubting the animosity toward you will rachet up even from those who should love you. Saul was a man who should have loved David and he did not.
This is the spiritual condition of the world for those who love God. This is why scripture gives us stories like this. So that we will see ourselves in David as we stand before God in Christ! The world benefited greatly from Christ's ministry and miracles and yet they conspired to kill Him. Why? Because His arrival spelled the end of their kingdom and they were at odds with God. To this day countries where Christianity is a majority have the most prosperity and peace YET in those same countries (and especially here in America) the name of Christ is a curse word! How ridiculous to curse the name that blessed us! Men are at odds with God.
How does this story of Saul and David help us? Because we can read to the end of this story and remember that Saul's kingdom, no matter how much it seeks to destroy David's reign WILL NOT WIN! Remember this Christian or you will drive yourself crazy and become cranky. The world's system cannot win against the Lord of glory. Yes, the world will hate those who belong to Christ. But their hatred is a reminder of our acceptance before the Father. And just as David's anointing and call from God outlasted Saul's contempt, the anointing we have from the Holy Spirit is strong enough to keep us safe in the hand of God as our world crumbles around us.
Read to the end of Revelation and see the kingdoms fall and the righteous flourish. It will do you good and embolden your life.
1 John 5:4–5 (NIV) everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
The story of Saul's animosity of David provides a clear picture of what we should expect from the higher ranks of our world.
1 Samuel 18:27–30 (ESV) David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. 28 But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually. 30 Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.
Saul has ZERO reasons to want David dead. David killed Goliath, has won great victories for the kingdom and now has followed his command to destroy his enemies for the sake of his daughter's hand in marriage. Yet no matter how much good David does for Saul's kingdom, his jealous rage leads him to murderous intent. Why is this so?
The text is begging us to see the real problem with Saul. Saul does not have an issue with David. He has an issue with God. He knows he's rejected God and God has rejected him. He knows his kingdom will come to an end. He knows God is with David. Note the text:
1 Samuel 18:28–29 (ESV) when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David,... Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually."
Does it seem to you Christian, that the world is against you? If not, it is because you are too cozy with the world's standards and practices. You may have yet to receive the new birth. Check yourself, scripture says (2 Corinthians 13:5). Once the new birth happens, there's no doubting the animosity toward you will rachet up even from those who should love you. Saul was a man who should have loved David and he did not.
This is the spiritual condition of the world for those who love God. This is why scripture gives us stories like this. So that we will see ourselves in David as we stand before God in Christ! The world benefited greatly from Christ's ministry and miracles and yet they conspired to kill Him. Why? Because His arrival spelled the end of their kingdom and they were at odds with God. To this day countries where Christianity is a majority have the most prosperity and peace YET in those same countries (and especially here in America) the name of Christ is a curse word! How ridiculous to curse the name that blessed us! Men are at odds with God.
How does this story of Saul and David help us? Because we can read to the end of this story and remember that Saul's kingdom, no matter how much it seeks to destroy David's reign WILL NOT WIN! Remember this Christian or you will drive yourself crazy and become cranky. The world's system cannot win against the Lord of glory. Yes, the world will hate those who belong to Christ. But their hatred is a reminder of our acceptance before the Father. And just as David's anointing and call from God outlasted Saul's contempt, the anointing we have from the Holy Spirit is strong enough to keep us safe in the hand of God as our world crumbles around us.
Read to the end of Revelation and see the kingdoms fall and the righteous flourish. It will do you good and embolden your life.
1 John 5:4–5 (NIV) everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
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