It’s All for the Best: David Mindset vs Saul Mindset

Have you ever thought about your life in such a way that if you didn’t get what you wanted, you’d still be OK?

How might this relate to David and Saul?

David and Saul were both kings of Israel, but only one of them was called a man after God’s own heart.

“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 tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,

‘Saul has struck down 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.”

“The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David evaded him twice. Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 18:6-12 [ESV]).

Instead of humbling himself before Yahweh for his accomplishments, Saul envied David.

So what if David had slain tens of thousands? Saul had his own feats he had accomplished.

Looking at what someone else has brings us no closer to accomplishing our specific mission in this life.

Perhaps Saul should have realized there was nothing lacking when compared to David.

Envying someone else only rots your own bones.

All the women were singing David’s praises, which angered Saul to no end.

But instead of reacting like Saul, we are to accept the LORD’s will as for the best, no matter what.

In modern times, this might mean a few things.

Instead of worrying about what women like some other guy, humble yourself before Yahweh and ask Him to send you the woman He made just for you.

Everything God does is for our ultimate good, our ultimate soul-correction.

“Why is that woman so good at modeling and I can’t land one gig?”

Yet, the LORD may have given you an incredible singing voice or the skill within yourself to play a difficult instrument.

Like The 1975 once says, “I’ve been counting my blessings thinking this through.”

Your blessings are yours alone. Someone else’s significant other, talents, or wealth should mean little to you if you know your purpose.

The evil eye is stingy and only wants what others have.

You can never lose what is meant for you.

David waited patiently to take the throne from Saul, and he never did it prematurely.

God loved David for this attitude.

He never needed to take matters into his own hands because He trusted Yahweh enough to realize God had his best interest in mind.

Saul was far too fearful, knowing that God was with David and had left him.

But the reason God had left him was his own ego and selfishness.

He did not count his blessings and love the LORD with all his heart, thus stripping himself of the title of king.

David remained humble throughout his life—making a few mistakes along the way—always being called a man after God’s own heart.

We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t always have to agree with others about everything.

What matters is the heart.

Is our heart clean before our Maker?

Do we still trust Him when we don’t get what we want when we want it?

What has Yahweh blessed you with, and do you use it to make others smile?

Saul didn’t realize he had many blessings and many accomplishments that were worthy on their own merits.

If I constantly looked at a basketball player and wondered why I can’t make shots from across the court like they can, instead of honing my writing ability, I’d be far off track.

If I’d be chasing the world, I’d miss my intended life.

A tank and a fighter jet are two weapons of war, but they serve different functions.

A tank will never fly high above the clouds.

A fighter jet will never take part in a ground invasion from the ground.

Both are tools of the intention behind their construction.

Saul would think, “Why isn’t my tank flying?”

David would know the jet soars because it is meant to.

That’s the difference between them.

In the same manner, we should be happy when others are living in their purpose, not giving them the evil eye.

We should rejoice when good happens to them, for good things come from God above.

“Wow, she found her soulmate. I’m so happy for her.”

Not, “Why don’t I get that guy/gal?”

Looking at what you don’t have instead of what you have is a form of envy. Envy has no place among the faithful.

Like I said previously, you cannot lose what is meant for you.

Others cannot take what is meant for you.

Yahweh is sovereign over all things in this world, and will never make it so your intended path, person, or talents are given to some other person.

Not to say others won’t have similar paths or have the same gift, but only you can carry out God’s purpose for you.

I’ve heard it said vampire stories are overdone.

But they aren’t overdone your way, are they?

Don’t be like Saul and overthink everything, either.

You can wonder why somebody chose a certain position in politics, or why they don’t get wrapped up in certain things. That doesn’t change God’s sovereign will over your life or theirs.

If the presidential election didn’t go your way, it went God’s.

If it went your way, it went God’s.

Does that make sense?

If Saul was meant to be king (he was) it was God.

If David was meant to be king (he was) it was God.

When we realize God has the ultimate good for our lives in mind, we don’t fall into the pits Satan would love for us to fall into.

Trust God with the process.

It might take a while to understand what He’s doing, but it will be worth it if you stick to God’s plan for your life.

There is no room for “But why?” when we walk with Yahweh.

Because the truly faithful, the person with real emunah, says, “It’s all ultimately for my good.”

Saul’s envy cost him his throne and his life.

David’s faithfulness gave him his throne and kept him alive for God’s glory.

Remember that it’s all for the best in the end.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, but they still bowed.

Jesus was crucified but defeated death.

The Roman Empire executed the apostles, but their fame has gone throughout all the Earth.

Trust in God, have emunah, and thank God for everything that didn’t work out, so that the things that work out, do.

Be David over Saul.

Shalom and blessings!