Is This Yours?

Psalms 51:3
For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me.

This is the prayer that David said unto the Lord after his sin with Bathsheba. He said that his sin was "ever before me". When David woke up, there was his sin. When David walked through his day, his sin was there also. When he laid down to bed, there was his sin again. Always and everywhere his sin was there. He had to live with it every single day.

Do you notice something about what David said? He didn't do like the modern confessor. Most people's confessions today begin with their excuses of why they did what they did. Almost never do they begin by saying, "God it is my sin." It is mostly started with, "God you know me, you know I'm sinful and that sometimes I can't help it."

Some want to say that it's not their fault. They want to blame Adam and his sin in the garden. Let me tell you something! It's not Adam's fault, and it ain't your Daddy's fault, and it ain't your mom's fault, and it ain't your siblings fault, and it ain't your teachers fault, and it ain't your preachers fault, and it ain't the households fault, and it ain't the White Houses fault... It's YOUR SIN!

Until it becomes "YOUR sin", you will never find the forgiveness and victory over it. It's not others that cause you to sin, it's you. It's not the sin of others, it's yours. It's not their fault, it's yours. David said, my sin, is ever before me. What about you today? Is it your sin? Then confes it to Jesus and let Him work in you.

What if We Wept?

John 11:35
Jesus wept. 

Although this is one of the shortest verses of the Bible it has the deepest impact on me. It helps me to understand the heart of the God I serve everyday. Without this verse, we really couldn't see the brokenness of our Lord. You know what is amazing? Not a bone of the Lord Jesus was ever broken but His heart was. 

In this verse Jesus was broken over the condition of the people. Some would have you to believe that He was broken and weeping about the death of His friend but this isn't true. He had come to call him out of death and back into life. No the weeping was from the condition of the people. They didn't believe. If they didn't trust Jesus and believe upon Him then how were the wonderful works of Jesus going to be accomplished? 

With all of the recent stories, even from this week alone, my heart hurts. The disbelief and disdain of the people must surely break the heart of Jesus. My heart is broken for this world, and the Christians that are in this world. The evil that is faced on a daily basis is causing my heart to be concerned. To the point that I find myself crying often.

What great things could happen if God's people were to become broken? What if we wept over the condition of the people instead of seeking revenge upon them? What if we were to weep in our prayers for them? I wonder what could happen? You know something... tears have a way of breaking walls and barriers that words can't. So it's really not about all the words that we can come up with when sharing the Gospel, but about how many tears we've shed when preparing to share the Gospel. 

Jesus wept... doesn't seem like much but oh what an impact it has had upon this whole world! Thank you Jesus for teaching me a lesson in weeping and being the broken man I need to be. Keep my heart broken and my eyes watering. I love you Lord.

That's the Pride Talking

Hosea 5:5
And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.

What is pride? Well one definition is having honor and self-respect. This is explaining having pride in your appearance, work ethic, or even your character. We really, really need this type of pride in our lives and society today. Another definition, which is the one in our scripture this morning, is arrogance, smugness, self-importance, conceit or vanity. This pride is described as not needing anyone, especially a God telling you what to do or how to live.

Pride is very destructive when not defined properly. You see we need to have pride defined the first way, but never do we need pride in the second. The honor and self-respect of ourselves unto God is a godly characteristic. The arrogance and self-dependence through pride is not of God. The scriptures tell us that this pride will lead to failure and destruction.

One of the things that I love about church is all the children. Before and after our services you can hear and see these children laughing and playing. When those little ones who have just begun to walk come into the church almost every adult wants to hold them. I love how parents will put them down to walk and immediately the game begins. You know the one... The adult holds there arms out like a monster while saying, "I'm gonna get you, you better run." Then the adult chases them down and grabs them up into their arms and hugs them.

Can't you picture pride being this same way with a different result at the end? We are walking and pride is constantly saying, "I'm gonna get you, I'm gonna get you..." It's so true! It is always there trying to get us and just like those little children that could never outrun the adult, we can't outrun pride. We must confess it! You may think today that you have your pride fooled. "It will never get me, I'm too fast, I'm too good", you may say. But can I point something out to you? That's your pride talking.

Yielded to the Potter

Jeremiah 18:3-4
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Jeremiah had a great blessing to see this potter in action. God spoke to him through what he was seeing also. God says, "Do you see that potter? I want to do the same thing with you and the house of Israel." Around and around the potter's wheel would turn. The potter would pick up that clay and slam it down, pick it up and slam it down. We would think, "What are you doing? You keep picking me up and slamming me down onto this wheel!" While the whole time God is trying to get you into the center of the wheel, or better yet into the center of His will.

Then He takes His creation hands and applies pressure. If the clay could speak it would tell of the pain and pressure that is experienced. "It's for a purpose, it's for a purpose..." I can hear the potter say. I love how the scripture says that he wrought a work on the wheels. God is working in our lives. He truly is! We think because of the pressure that God is mean or even unloving at times but this is not true. He is working the work on the wheel. He is making you into a vessel.

Now here is the biggest key of all. The pottery doesn't tell the potter what to do or how to make it. It yields itself to the potter. Because the potter knows what kind of vessel He needs and He knows what kind of vessel to make. Did you read that earlier? "It was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it."

God is making you according to His plans and His design. Yield to the hands of the potter this morning. Tell Him to mold you and make you into what He desires you to be and for His use. You honestly couldn't pray any greater prayer than that.

God is Good

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

If you have the time this morning go back and read this whole chapter. You will understand that God is about to send judgment upon Ninevah. This message was not one of coming judgment to Ninevah, but it was a message of hope to Judah. Ninevah was evil and gruesome in their sins. They would impale people and leave them out in the sun to burn. Wickedness was very, very rampant in their city.

What is amazing about this scripture is that during this time Ninevah was at their peak. They were the strongest that they had ever been before. No one thought that this city would ever be overthrown. But when God's judgment fell upon them the ruins of this city weren't found until the 1800's. Their sins were no longer overlooked, but now God sought justice and destroyed the city and its wickedness.

Then all of the sudden, right in the middle of the scriptures, God gives us this verse... "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." When we as a nation have sinned and become sickened and twisted with our wickedness by the seconds always remember that the Lord is good. I know a friend of mine who used to stand in church and say, "God is Good." The crowd would always answer back with, "All the Time." In a situation much like Ninevah, we are strong and at the peak of our game as a nation. But just like Ninevah, we are riddled with sin. Not just sinful people but sinful people that are rejoicing in sin. Promoting and praising the acts of sin. You think as you read that I'm speaking of those who are lost alone, but no, no, no, it's very prevalent in the church as well. Some think that judgment will never come, but they are wrong. God will have justice.

But remember Christian's... God is good. He is a STRONG hold in the day of trouble. He knows who is trusting in Him. Hold on to the unchanging hand of Christ. Let the Lord judge you now in your sins that Jesus paid for on the cross. Don't wait until the final judgment day where you will die in your sins without Jesus.

Are You Shocked?

1 John 3:13
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Are you shocked that the world doesn't want the hear about Christ? One of the funniest things to me is when Christians get irritated because the world doesn't want to hear them. Are we really confused about this? Read this slowly... It's not you they don't like, it's your love for Jesus Christ. It's not your belief that is not accepted, it's the law of God. We, Christians, spend way too much time upset about people not liking us. We should understand that the world hated Christ and they will hate you.

I went to school at Mortimer Jordan High School. I'll never forget hearing all the war stories of the man who was the principal there. "Oh, he is so strict. You're not gonna like him at all. He runs a tight ship", they would say. I remember one parent telling me that it was where they sent the students for correction, kinda like a prison. So needless to say when I arrived I was dreading it.

I remember hearing his voice in the hallway for the first time. He called me out by "Little Nacho". He said, "Son, you need to tuck that shirt tail in." I'll have to admit that I really didn't like him very much in my first years of high school. I was in sin and lost. I was doing my own thing and didn't want anyone telling me what to do. Although I used to say, "I hate this school and can't wait to get out." It never bothered or swayed him. He knew that people didn't like him because of his ways, but he never let that bother him. He loved us. He truly loved us. I'll never ever forget the day I was saved and starting my Senior year as a brand new Child of God. My look toward him was so different. I began to realize that he loved me. That he always had loved me. I understood his love for me and the other students and in turn, showed my love toward him (and still do).

If he would have let my anger toward him lead him to be angry toward me, he would have never instructed me. But because he realized that everyone is not going to like him or his moral stands, he didn't let it stop him. Too many today have quit standing for holiness because people don't like it. Let me say it again... They are not ever going to like it because their deeds are evil and they are in darkness. Stop shaking your head and marveling that this world doesn't like you or even hates you. They hated Jesus and He is the only one that has ever truly and unconditionally loved them.

The Right Recipe

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Someone once told me to always make my words sweet because they may be the ones I eat tomorrow. I wonder if this would help anyone else today? Our words are so powerful. They can be full of life or full of death. The things that we say can build up or tear down with just the way they are spoken or even the tone they are delivered in.

Many people today choose to text or email people in hopes of getting their message to them. But the tone and meaning can easily be lost in the translation of the text. I have seen it myself become damaging because you can't truly understand the meaning in the message.

Do you remember the phrase, "The pen is mightier than the sword"? How true is this? Many a hearts have been destroyed by the words that have come out of the mouths of people. Some would want you to believe that our words only destroy or harm the weak or young people, but this is false. Even in the scriptures it says they "hurled insults at Jesus". They had all intentions of harming Him with the words they spoke. Knowing that damaging the heart of Jesus through words would cause Him to give up.

God tells us to make our words sweet and healthy. Sweet for the taste and healthy for the life. Chosing to speak in the love of Christ would make all words spoken sweet. Fill them with the agape love of Jesus and you couldn't make them any sweeter. And when you chose to speak the words of Christ, through His Word or the Spirit, you can't get any healthier than that.

Remember, you could eat them tomorrow, so make sure you have the right recipe.

Learning to Forgive

Genesis 3:8-10
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Why do we struggle with this so much? Forgiveness! A friend of mine asked me a question yesterday that involved this chapter of the Bible. She had brought to my attention that God forgave them and clothed them when they left the garden. Absolutely! This is one of the first acts of forgiveness in the Bible.

Did you notice that God pursued them? That's right. God was the one who was wronged and He was the one who pursued. Our society today teaches us that if someone does you wrong that it's not your fault. Let them come to you, because they are the ones at fault. Like kids on a playground... "I ain't apologizing to him/her, she is the one who pushed me off the swing." What if we could learn to forgive like God? Notice the word "learn".

Learning to forgive is what we need. It will not just happen or appear one day out of the clear blue sky. Yes, when we are saved by Christ Jesus we understand how to love and also understand the greatest forgiveness that there is, but how to do it is a different story. How to perform that forgiveness is a lot easier talked about than put into action.

We say, "They wronged me, let them come to me and apologize." But can't you see God saying in our scripture this morning, "They have wronged me and disobeyed me, I must go unto them and confront them in order to offer my forgiveness." Why would He do that? It's His Love! It's His Grace! It's His Characteristic" It's Him!!!!! Lord help me to LEARN to forgive. Teach me to forgive in the same manner you taught your disciples to pray.

I'm Tired of Everyone Blaming God!

Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

First of all before you begin to hammer me about my anger understand that we can be angry as Christians, but we can't let it lead us to sin. The Bible says to be angry and sin not. Anger is an emotion that we have that could be a great tool. It's like a fire. If it's outside the engine you have a major problem and your life is in danger, but if it's inside the engine you now have a driving force. My anger comes from people always blaming God for something He didn't do. Some blame sin, death, problems, discouragement, bills and taxes on God. One thing that really gets the fire in my engine hot is the phrase... "Why would a 'LOVING' God send anyone to Hell?" They always put the emphasis on the word loving for sarcasm.

Can I tell you now and forever that God does NOT send people away to Hell! They have chosen to walk away from Him. God has absolutely no pleasure in the death of the wicked. You see you are thinking that God is much like you and thinks like you think. The way you see the wicked and those who have wronged you and the way you want them to pay for what they have done to the fullest of degrees... but God is not like you. His love is not like yours. What would God want for the wicked? That they would turn from their way and live.

He sees the end result. He sees the way that the wicked are going and He takes no pleasure in it. His desire is that the wicked turn from his way and do what? LIVE! He wanted Israel to live. He wanted the Gentiles to live. He wanted Barabbas to live, that's why Jesus took his place. He desired that Judas would live. He desires that YOU WOULD LIVE! He is not on His throne today rejoicing that people are getting what they deserved. No, He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. So please, for the Gospel's sake, get the scriptures right!

Me Too?

Mark 10:23-27
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

I must confess first this morning and tell you that there were some days in my childhood that I faked being sick and stayed home. Most kids would have been bored out of their minds but I had great shows like, Leave it to Beaver, Perry Mason and Matlock (my favorites) and then the all faithful... I love Lucy. I remember one episode where Lucy was missing little Ricky. She was away and it was his birthday. A young Italian boy found out and convinced her that it was his birthday too. So Lucy threw a big party with cake and gifts for him. Well before long the little boy had rounded up all of his friends and told Lucy that "it waza theira birthaday too..."

Look at how astonished these people were when Jesus told them that it would be hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Their minds couldn't understand what He had just spoken. The rich had it all and if they didn't have it then they had the means in which to get it. But Jesus says it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (gate for persons) than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Notice something that scripture says... "they were astonished out of measure." They couldn't believe it!

It's almost as if our Lord is saying, "It's for you! You don't need money I've paid for it all." Oh how I want to be like this little boy that was on this show. I want to round up everyone that I can and share the Gospel of Jesus with them. I want to tell them that there is a man who is offering salvation and life (gifts and cake) to anyone with a birthday. Aaaaahhhh! There it is! The Key! You must have that spiritual birthday. You must be born again. It'sa Hiza Birthaday Too!

I know what you're thinking. Me too? Would God do this for me too? Yes!

The Lord is with Thee!

2 Samuel 7:3
And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.

David had become convicted about living in a house of cedar while the Lord's house was just made of curtains. He had wondered at how he could continue on knowing this. God deserved so much more than a house of curtains and David deserved so much less than a house of cedar. David was moved with humility and also with honor. He wanted God to have greater than himself.

Even today many, many Jewish followers have a portion of their home (usually by the front door) unfinished. This is to represent their devotion to the Temple. They say that their homes shouldn't be finished if God's Temple is in ruins. Regardless of what they are hoping for, their motive of the heart is great. They feel God should have greater.

Look at what was said unto David. Nathan the prophet said to David, "Go, do all that is in thine heart;"  This desire that the Lord has placed on you, go and do it. My favorite part is the latter portion of this scripture, "...for the Lord is with thee." With this last part of the scripture God has now eliminated the excuses and doubt that Satan would throw at him. David could have said, "I want to do it Lord, but how? Who is going to help me? Where will we get the funds? I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing..."

God said that whatever was in his heart to do, to do it cause the Lord is with him. Aren't you glad that God is with you? Now wait a minute! What you would want to do for God must be found in the pages of His Word. He will not lead you to do something that is contrary to Him and His will. But if you are led by Him, then have faith and know that He is with you.

No Strength

Psalms 33:22
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
according as we hope in thee.

If there ever was a time that we need the mercy of our Lord it's now! God, we cry out unto you for thy tender mercies. Your grace is amazing! Your love is overwhelming! Your word is so refreshing to my dry and barren soul. There are times that I feel the heat of the sun has been beating upon my life and I am in need of the water. At times I feel as if I am sinking in the waters of this world and need the security of dry land.

Isn't it crazy that we need help in every situation? We often pray for others and look after others but what about the times you get alone with God? Could you just take time this morning to ask Him for the mercy you need? David said, "Let thy mercy..." He told the Lord that he desired His mercy. David wasn't bowing down before men begging for their mercy that could only last for a moment. He wanted the mercy of God. Undeserved mercy was what he was asking for.

David said, "Let it be upon us, according as we hope in thee." God we are not putting our hope in anything else. We want your mercy and our hope is that you will send it. My hope reaches into or unto Christ Jesus. My hope for the answer is found in the manger. My hope for the sacrifice for sin is found at the cross. My hope for redemption and resurrection is found in the empty tomb. My hope for mercy is found in the merciful!

If there ever was a time I needed You before,
Lord I need You now.
And if there ever was a trial I couldn't handle on my own,
That's how this feels somehow.
If there ever was a child that was crying out for help,
That's what this songs about.
Cause if there ever was a time that I needed You before,
Lord I need You now!

Showing the Love

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

What would you say about this scripture? I've heard some interpret it to mean that in order for Jesus to love you, you must do and keep all the commandments. This is not true. Can I tell you that Jesus Christ loves you and showed His love for you long, long before you ever knew this commandment? God's love for you is not based on how good or bad you are. He loved you even when no one else loved you.

Many of us were unlovable huh? Well not according to the scriptures of God's Word. It tells us in the book of Romans that "While we were yet sinners...Jesus loved us." Did you read that? While we were sinners. Sinners meaning contrary to the will of God. Going against Jesus and His commandments. Sinners meaning lost in our own selfish desires of evil and wrong. God loved us even then... still loves us even now!

The scripture that we are talking about today has nothing to do with God loving us. He has loved you and continues to love you today. It has everything to do with us loving Him. Notice that it says, "If ye love me..." If we say that we love Jesus then something will be different about us. We will keep His commandments. We will strive every day to please and honor Him in everything we do or say. Why? Because we love Him!

What would you think of a married couple if they said they loved one another but lived in adultery behind each other? That will never be an example of showing the love. Showing the love is honoring your vows by keeping them, not breaking them. I know that in our society that is backwards nowadays but no matter how society defines it... God says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments". For the love, SHOW the love.

A Name on the Marquee

Psalms 115:1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

Sitting at a sporting event, there is nothing like the sound of your name being called out. Wow the adrenaline rush that flows through your body! I can remember in high school playing some football and when I would make a tackle they would call my name and number out over the loud speakers. That would make me so excited and pumped up to make another tackle.

I also recall in my high school days, and many elementary days, my name being called out over the school loud speaker... "Steve Abney, please come to the office". My stomach would turn into a thousand knots. I would think, "I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything wrong, well..." Sometimes only to find out that my mom was there to check me out of school, but not always.

In my first year of preaching the Gospel I remember pulling up to a church that I was preaching a revival at and finding my name on the marquee. Just for a moment I thought, "Wow!" Only to have the Holy Spirit convict me to my very core. As a nineteen year old preacher God really set me straight that day by asking me one question. Which name are you hear to glorify? Hopefully there is enough evidence in my life to show you the answer I gave Him.

If your name is lifted higher than the name above all names, no worries. You'll not have long in the ministry of His Gospel. Christian please listen to me this morning when I say that you could do nothing greater in this life than to exalt the name of Jesus! Make sure that when people are standing around your casket or graveside they are talking more about the name of Jesus than yours. Because a name on a marquee will die with its glory, but the name of Jesus will live throughout eternity.

Serving Out of "Have It"

2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

You've heard the statement, "Serving out of habit"?  I suppose that sometimes it is a good characteristic to serve out of habit. Making a habit of being a servant is good. You condition yourself to do this. Training everyday to be a servant of Jesus. Being His hands and feet to people is something you should make a habit of.

But wouldn't it be greater to serve out of "Have It"? Now I don't mean that you serve to get something in return. This is the attitude many people, and sadly the Christians, are serving through. Recognition, honor and spotlight cause they have to have it. No what I mean is that you begin to serve with a Christlike attitude because you have to have it!

Do you wake up desiring to be a servant of God? If so, you are constantly aware that this could be an opportunity to serve and you have to have it! When we serve through Christ we are being Christ. When we are being Christ we are filled with the Spirit. We just can't get enough of Him. We have to have it!

Serve out of "have it" today! Look for the opportunity. I gotta bad "have it". Hahaha do you?

Did You Mean Corvette?

Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

It's not much but it's enough! This has been pretty much the theme of my whole life. When I was a child we didn't have very much. (Now before we continue in the devotion this morning understand that back then I measured things by using the ruler of the world and society) My parents didn't own a huge home on acres of land. Nope, we lived in a single-wide trailer on almost two acres of land. When it came to cars, well it was whatever would run. From old Cadillacs that were like tanks to a Chevette that ran on three cylinders. (You read me right spellcheck a Chevette...not a Corvette. It kept trying to correct me, hahaha) Even at the dinner table we sometimes didn't have much to offer. Many nights we ate the old military dinner of SOS - hamburger meat with gravy on sliced bread that was toasted. You should have been there on the nights when mom would bring home KFC... let's just say we were fancy living those nights.

Still today I don't have very much. I own one vehicle and the bank owns the other. I have increased to a double-wide instead of a single-wide. We even took the wheel axles off to show people that we are high rollers. I don't own land, real estate, homes, vacationing homes, etc... So according to all of the world's standards I must be suffering. I hate to say this but even according to some Christian's standards they tell me I'm suffering. But can I tell you with my heart and tears this morning that this couldn't be any farther from the truth!

Listen to a song that I love to sing...

In this world I don't have much in silver or gold
My house is just a cabin on the side of the road
But I've been adopted by a King's family
And when I get to my new home, look what's waiting for me

Heaven is waiting for me
Such beauty and splendor these eyes have never seen
Jesus, His sweet face I'll see
I may not have very much down here but look what's waiting for me

Every single work day I write these devotions. And every single day I receive a comment from a sweet Christian lady. In the world's eyes they would pity and feel sorry for her because she is an older Christian now. Her husband is gone home to be with the Lord so they would declare her lonely. She is older now and has to have people to help her more in her situation so they would declare her tired or feeble. But this woman is a bright light of her Savior Jesus! When I think of her I think of what Jesus said about another woman in the Bible..."I have not found a greater faith in all of Israel". Thank you Sister Sibyl Edmondson for your faithfulness. People may think you and I don't have very much, but they just can see it can they? I also think of my parents who many said would never make it. Dad worked job after job only to be laid off. Mom scraped the bottom of our pantry barrel time and time again but always come up with something good. No matter if it was SOS or sloppy-joe pie it was always good. They may be right. We didn't have much, but little is much when God is in it. Thank you for showing me that Mom and Dad.

What are you basing your status of success on? Riches, possessions, properties? What will you do with those things when you die? How will those things benefit you when you stand before the Lord? I'd rather have a little with righteousness than anything I wanted with wickedness.

Let It Go!

2 Samuel 3:1
​Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

Saul was against David with a bitter and jealous hatred. He was seeking his life to destroy him. Saul even became angry with his own son because Jonathon was friends with David. Did you notice that the scripture says that it was a "long war" between these houses? Day after day, Saul hated David and David spared his life. The house of Saul was upon evil and hate but the house of David was upon grace and mercy. There were times that David could have ended the life of Saul and put an end to this drawn out war but he didn't. He had hoped there would be a resolution.

Notice that the Bible points out that David's house grew stronger and stronger. Does this mean that David rounded up the people and made his case against Saul stronger? No. David stood in the anointing of God. God had chosen David to be the King of Israel and David knew that God would bring it to pass. Even though David knew that God chose him and that Saul's kingdom was taken away from him, David was gracious and patient with Saul. He said that no one should touch the Lord's anointed. In saying this David was saying that he trusted God. When God wanted this to happen, He would do it. Until then David would just keep on serving the Lord.

Now notice that the Bible says Saul's house waxed weaker and weaker. As Saul's anger and hatred grew stronger and stronger, his stand became weaker and weaker. When you are filled with such hatred and jealousy you will become weaker and weaker. Why would you chose to live in this manner? Never finding rest because you are always looking for revenge. Never knowing peace because you are always holding a sword of contention. Never showing mercy because you've never sought it for your life. As this sin grows stronger and stronger in you, let me tell you that you are becoming weaker and weaker. Eventually this will consume you as it did Saul and you could fall upon the very sword you're holding in your hand. Let it go!