FEARS UNLEASHED

Saul continues his pursuits with its focus on finding and killing David.  Jonathan realizes that his Father wants to kill David because of his popularity with the people, his bold leadership abilities in warfare, and the knowledge that he will replace Saul on his throne. David and Jonathan have covenanted that when David becomes king that he will "not cut off your loving-kindness from my house forever". ( The m/o of the newly reigning king is to kill all threats and enemies to his reign and Jonathan wants David to vow that he will not kill his family.) 

Saul orchestrates the murdering of the priest, his family, and the animals for perceived betrayal of him concerning David.  1 Samuel 22.  Saul is on a rampage that will drive him for some 20+ years because of his fear of David.  Saul understands that David will succeed him; God is blessing David; and in his mind, he has been overlooked, disregarded, and pushed aside, and he is the victim.  Since he perceives himself as the victim, his pride drives him to victimize the one who is a threat against him, David.  He has the power and the resources to pursue David.  

Isn't it amazing how sin takes us further than we want to go?  Fears unleashed attract many other exhausting and dark negative emotions to join up in defense of the victim status.  Fear, so well enthroned, has become Saul's mindset, his fortress in his mind.  Saul could have chosen to humble himself and to repent of his rebellion, rather he chooses to pursue and destroy.  I am reminded, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith...." 1 Peter 5:8-9a  Unchecked sin and the rogue cancer cell, even minute in size, share a commonness....destroy!  Today, may I be alert to my flesh and the subtle wooings of the evil one.  Ever learning!  In process! #IHAVETHREESONS