From That Day On

[S] 1 Samuel 18:9 --
9  Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

[O] Saul was initially called by God to lead His people but after failing to obey God's commands fully he began towards the downward spiral not because God had abandoned him but mainly because he did not repent before God to seek His mercy and grace.  Furthermore, such a state of mind grew into fear of losing his position while scheming ways to sustain his power and position more focused on the popularity than what God prefers.  At this point, the women's song of praising David higher than him put him over into jealousy.  The role of a leadership is very susceptible to the voices of the public and hearing God's voice in the midst of all that "noise" is one of the virtues of great leadership.  Here we can see how Saul was swept away by what the people were saying instead of leaning on what God was telling him to do.

[A] Even though the leaders are to lead the people and to listen and care for their needs, how one goes about doing that must originate from God's principles by first obeying His commands to the fullest.  I must learn to hear His voice in the midst of the noises of various voices surrounding me.  These are not the voices from the master of deception, per se, but from those close to me or the general public sharing their thoughts with good intentions; however if my heart is not right with God, these will easily put me into a territory that I would not want to be in.

[P] Dear Father, I do not believe Saul turned from Your chosen servant to where he is now overnight but he began to take steps which drew him away from God gradually so please guard my heart so I would not compromise in what seems like little things because they all add up to doing Your will properly without my selfish motives entering into the picture.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.