I’ve Got My Eye On You

Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 17 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 5 – 6; Proverbs 3 ; Psalm 11 – 15

Scripture Memorization for March – John 1:1 – 18

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Isaiah 51:11

Read a previous post from this passage – “Is There Not A Cause?“

Read the “0403 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” – (1 Samuel 18:9)”

And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.” – (1 Samuel 18:12)

“Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.” – (1 Samuel 18:15)

“And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.” – (1 Samuel 18:29)

In chapter 17 of today’s reading, we see young David taking down Goliath, the fierce giant of the Philistines. David was the only one in the camp of Israel that had enough guts to tackle the monster from Gath. All of the other men of Israel, including King Saul, feared Goliath more than they feared God; they had their eyes on their giant problem, instead of focussing on their giant problem-solving Lord. David feared the Lord, and trusted in Him, which gave him the courage to do the impossible.

In chapter 18, no longer is there an enemy to fear. Goliath is dead; the Philistines have been defeated. King Saul’s giant problem had been solved for him by David, and he should have been rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord. However, we see that a new fear has replaced Goliath in Saul’s eyes. A new giant. Now Saul is afraid of David. Again, Saul should have feared the Lord, and had his eyes on Him. Unfortunately, however, Saul’s eyes are on David. He knows that God’s hand is upon the young man, and the days of his own reign as king are coming to an end.

However, David, on the other hand, continues to fear the Lord, and serve King Saul. It seems that the more Saul tries to exterminate David, the more David does the right thing and succeeds. Notice how many times in chapter 18 the Scripture says that David behaved himself wisely. David never once attempted to react to Saul’s attacks on him. David kept trusting in God and doing what God wanted him to do. We will soon see that God will permanently remove Saul from the throne of Israel, and replace him with David.

There are three very practical truths that we can easily see in this passage:

1  Fear the Lord, not men. “If God be for us, who can be against us.” Saul was afraid of people. David feared God.

2  Keep your eyes on the Lord, not men. David continued to do what God wanted him to do and kept his eyes focused on Him, while Saul became consumed with David. Saul couldn’t function in his capacity as King, because he could not get his mind (and his eyes) off of eliminating David.

3  Know that God’s eyes are on you, too. God sees what is going on. If someone is trying to wrong you, your Heavenly Father will take care of it. You do not have to watch your back, because God is watching it for you.

Keep your eyes on the Lord. David did. Saul’s eyes were on David, but fortunately God’s eyes were on David, too.