Frustrated Plans; Fulfilled Purpose!

“Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”… Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.'” … Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.'” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines… When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.” 1 Sam 18:18-25 NIV

Each time I read the scriptures above, I shiver at the callousness of man against his fellow human. It is actually frightening to discover that a person who smiles with you; speaks well of you before others may actually nurse evil against you. Incidentally, this is the world we live in today; but it is not just starting and for such to have been recorded in the Bible, it had been since ancient times. You really do not know what goes on in the mind of someone around you; except this is revealed by the Spirit of God. This is where discernment plays a great role for those of us in the New Testament and in the dispensation of the operations of the Holy Spirit.

How do you explain King Saul’s disposition towards David in this situation? Promising to give him his daughter in marriage is the height of friendliness one can expect. The condition was just for David to produce the foreskin of 200 Philistines. However, there was a lot more behind this promise. There was a wicked thought, imagination and expectation. Saul’s intention was to get David killed. Many times, minds speak, hearts speak and it is only God who hears what they say. The facial expression of King Saul was friendly; the message he sent to David through his attendants was friendly and exiting; yet, there was something else in his heart- the plan to get David destroyed.

As believers, we should cultivate a robust and sincere relationship with God; He will handle every area of our lives. This is an antidote against the wicked plots and expectations of ungodly minds.

Truly, it is only God that knows what goes on in the heart of Man. The Scriptures says in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Despite all the evil plans and expectation, God’s presence with David was palpable enough. This was what angered Saul: the evidence of God’s Hands upon David was what birthed the enmity. He had no controlling power on the life and destiny of David- the man stood out exceptionally because God was with him.

“Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul. So, he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 1 Sam 18:12-14 NIV

This is similar to the story of Joseph. The presence of God with Him made him successful but this came with an added breed of challenges that led him to the prison.

From this, I see the need for us, as believers, to cultivate a robust and sincere relationship with God; He will handle every area of our lives. This is an antidote against the wicked plots and expectations of ungodly minds. The presence of God brings help, success and victory over every evil scheme targeted against our lives. However, we should note that success breeds enmity; even the type covered up with smiles. The grace and the good hands of God upon a person’s life can fetch him/her enemies. Where you stand in purpose and destiny, can make people hate you; wanting your downfall like Saul wanted for David. God is faithful; He will always defend His own. He shattered and frustrated the plans of Saul against David; even as David advanced in fulfilling purpose.

May every evil scheme and wicked plans targeted against us, but wrapped up in smiles, be utterly shattered. May God frustrate every offer put in place in order to ensnare us and our purpose in life. May we continue to experience the presence of God that facilitates all-round success and victory in all areas of life. Amen

©Funmi Adebayo