Angry? Find Peace In God's Plan! | 1 Samuel 20:24-34

Are you finding peace in God's plan, or are you angry about what God is doing?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 20. I've titled this chapter "Friendship and Loyalty in Adversity."

In yesterday's devotional, David and Jonathan built a battle-ready plan to test Saul's demeanor toward David. Today, we will see how Saul will respond and how Jonathan's plan is going to work out in verses 24-34:

So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty.

Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean." But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?" Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. He said, 'Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table."

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him. — 1 Samuel 20:18-23

(I share some vital commentary in today's video and audio; you may want to listen to my reading.)

We could focus on various aspects of this passage, but I want to center this devotional on Saul's anger.

Saul is furious because David poses a threat to his throne, which means he and his family could lose their royal legacy. In transitions like this, an entire lineage would often be wiped out because they threatened the new king and his family. Jonathan knew this, which is why he made that secret covenant with David in yesterday's text.

Saul's anger has been slowly brewing against David for a long time. His jealousy is now so outraged that he can no longer see God's plan and it has clouded his vision. Jonathan can see God's plan; therefore, he is at peace with handing the throne to David, as seen yesterday. Saul can only see his own plan, and it is pretty evident here. He has planned to kill David at this meal and remove him as a future threat to "his" kingdom.

Saul's anger has become so unjust and violent that it adversely affects his lineage. He rejects God's plan, acts in violence toward the innocent, name-calls, shames his lineage, and embarrasses himself before key leaders in his kingdom.

And why?

Saul refuses to accept God's plan and deal with his insecurities as a man, leader, husband, and father.

Great men are courageous enough to deal with their personal insecurities. If you are angry today, even a tiny bit, stop and ask yourself why. Be courageous, ask the question of yourself, and accept the circumstances before you as God's plan. Then, address the deep insecurities underneath your anger before you end up acting unjustly and hurting the people around you that you love. Some of you need to stop being so irritated and angry all the time. Find peace in God's plan, as Jonathan did.

#PeaceInGodsPlan, #ConfrontingAnger, #FaithfulFriendship

Ask This:

1. What personal insecurities or fears might fuel your anger, and how can you bring those before God to find peace?
2. In what ways can you actively support and show loyalty to friends who may be facing adversity, as Jonathan did for David?

Do This:

Trust God's plan and address your anger and insecurities.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to recognize and confront the insecurities that lead to my anger, so I can find peace in Your plan for my life. Grant me the strength to support my friends with loyalty and love, even in difficult times. Amen.

Play This:

God Help Me.