Jealousy, vengeance, deceit, anger and premeditated murder begin our focus for today’s devotional. Is this the script for “Murder She Wrote,” or perhaps this is the conclusion of a real crime story. Can there really be a devotional that would come out of such a list of evil deeds?

As you read todays Scripture verses, focus on the emotions, attitudes, behaviors and orders of King Saul. Yes, Saul the first king of the Jewish nation displays all of the above characteristics and actions, and all are mostly directed toward David, the very person who saved the honor of the Jewish nation by defeating the giant named Goliath. Everything changed when David had success in killing the giant. Even though David gave God all the credit, the nation’s people wanted to celebrate and to elevate David to the status of great warrior. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back for Saul was the song of praise the people sang for David. “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” They chanted and Saul stewed. It started with jealousy, went to anger and ultimately rage. Saul became so embittered against David, he plotted to have him killed. Saul’s anger was redirected toward his son Johnathan when Jonathan defended David. In fact, in rage, Saul throws his javelin spear at his son.

What a sorrowful story; the great king Saul falls from grace. Not only did Saul become consumed with anger toward David, but Saul’s rage resulted in turning away from God. Yes, the tangled web of sin was woven together and destroyed not David but the king.

Can someone today fall from grace like Saul? Can we go too far into sin to lose our salvation? Hebrews 3:12 “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” The sinful path can be all consuming; it can start small but can quickly and easily grow to an all-consuming behavior.

David Blythe