*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 2019* *ENVY ENTHRONED* TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 22:6-10.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 2019*

*ENVY ENTHRONED*

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 22:6-10.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?" (1 SAMUEL 22:8)._

The thought of a neighbor's success often leaves natural man with the feeling of envy. Satan wanted to take the place of God but was debased. Cain killed his brother Abel and Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery because of envy.

King Saul, in our text, had become very displeased with David since the day the women of Israel ascribed more glory to him than to the king (1 Samuel 18:7-9). At this point, the monster had become so enthroned in Saul's life that he left the business of the kingdom in pursuit of David. Instead of being at the palace, he pitched his tent in Gibeah under a tree with his servants. Envy made him to imagine and believe falsehood, suspecting even his own son to have confederated with David to kill him. All his efforts to get information concerning David and Jonathan from his servants proved abortive. However, Doeg, the Edomite informed him against Ahimelech the priest's kindness to David.

The word of God stands against envy, it is numbered among the works of the flesh. The Bible says that "... envy is the rottenness of bones" (Proverbs 14:3). As a Christian who is looking heavenward, you must thoroughly guard your heart against the spirit of envy. This is only made when self is crucified. Many believers are still struggling with the self-life and where self exists, envy will thrive.

You must seek the Lord for the circumcision of your heart to be set free from self-indulgence. Remember that envy, if allowed, is dangerous to the well-being of the soul. It tends to pride; it debases and can eventually lead to self-destruction as it did to Saul.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* An envious, discounted spirit loses God's favour.

COVER TO COVER: EZEKIEL 1-2.

*MEDITATION*

☠The danger of envy☠
1. Envy rejoices when evils happen to the envied and it is sorrowful when the envied is praised vv6,8. Check online for various diseases caused by envy.
*Lord*, I bring my heart to you consecrating not to envy any again. Purify me from all traces of envy🙏.
2. Envy, hatred, murderous intentions, evil wishes on others, sadness at the progress of others or when others are praised are not separable v6.
*Lord*, purge all members from all envies against each other and give the true grace to love one another without envy🙏.
3. In the same way, Satan runs away from an atmosphere where God is praised in truth and Spirit. Try it if you are sick or depressed.
*Lord*, teach me to praise you when Satan is working to the point that Satan will have no choice than to run away🙏.
4. The envious suffers from perverted thinking and mental disorder in some form or shape. Or how can you explain Saul leaving the governance of Israel to be pursuing just a servant David? v6.
*Lord*, give me the knowledge and wisdom I need so that envy will be a taboo in my life.🙏
5. If Saul had "killed" his envy from the outset and loved David as a son, would Saul not have completed his rule? Would he have died in the battle the way he died with David and his armies supporting him? The envious man is generally unreasonable and perverted in thoughts and actions.
*Lord*, don't ever allow the flesh or Satan to turn me against my destiny benefactor🙏.
6. See v8 to see another deceptive thinking produced by envy.
7. The king supposed to unite the whole Israel. He became tribalistic, as a Benjamite, and destroyed his kingdom by himself v7.
8. What are the other side effects of envy from experience?
8. Nobody can fathom the destructive effects of envy. The only way out is to ask Christ to purify the heart wholly.

HYMN: Search me O God

1. Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

2. I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

3. Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.

4. O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me;
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.