A while back, I was driving home from San Francisco and the weather was pretty warm and clear (sometimes pretty rare for the misty city.) I was wearing my sunglasses and noticed that there was this huge haze everywhere. I thought to myself, “Wow, it’s really smoky out today!” I then began to look for fires or smoke and wonder where the source of the fire was. I was super distracted in my driving – veering towards other lanes and trying to see where the source of the haze was (don’t worry – this does not end in a car accident - thank the Lord!)
Finally, after driving some time and not seeing the source of the haze, I took my sunglasses off and realized that I had smudges all over the lenses which made it difficult to see clearly.
I felt like an idiot.
But I also knew this was a teachable moment for me.
When we allow our gaze to be hindered by dirty lenses, the outcome can distract us from maintaining our focus and gaze on what is truly important.
What haze are we looking through that is preventing us from seeing truth? The haze of jealousy? Of bitterness? Of rage?
We need to set down our dirty glasses and make sure that whatever we are looking and seeing through is through the Word of God and His truths.
Let’s look at the lives of David and Saul and how their actions were determined by how they perceived their situations.
Saul was king. He gloried in his position. But he was also insecure. In walks David, this young kid who defeats Goliath and Saul now sees him as a threat.
Saul was blinded by jealousy.
“As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,
“Saul has struck his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on.” 1 Samuel 18:6-9
Saul could have gloried in the fact that the enemy had been vanquished but was stuck on the notion that he didn’t come out as superior when compared to David.
Saul was blinded by bitterness.
“Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David…on the other…SO David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!” 1 Samuel 23:26-27
Saul was consumed with killing David. He was overwrought with jealousy and hated David with his entire soul. This hatred that Saul had, so consumed him that it left an opening for the enemy to sneak past and invade the land. He made his people vulnerable to the enemy because of his vendetta against David.
Saul was blinded by rage.
“Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, it was reported to him, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to search for David and his men…” 1 Samuel 24:1-2
Saul took THREE THOUSAND MEN to mete out his anger towards David. Those men could have been busy doing war against the ACTUAL enemy but instead were set out to find ONE MAN.
What bitterness and anger are we allowing to hinder us from clearly seeing satan at work trying to kill steal and destroy, divide and conquer?
David had every right to hate Saul…but he didn’t.
He had many opportunities to kill Saul…but he didn’t.
What haze are we allowing to distract us from the real spiritual war going on around us?
Are we holding the grievances against us and unwilling to move forward, to forgive and be able to focus on the real battle raging?
Are we nursing our wounds and taking pleasure in the bitterness and anger we hold towards others?
Or are we able to wipe off our glasses and look through the clear lens of truth?
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18
~ Kissy Black
Comments