I wonder if it was hard for Eli to deal with Samuel’s first vision from the Lord. After all, Eli was the high priest of all Israel; Samuel was just a boy. And it would have been worse, I think, because Samuel’s first vision had to do with the downfall of Eli’s family. How painful for Samuel, who loved his foster-father! How difficult for Eli, who seems to have loved Samuel as well.
Jealousy is not a stranger to the Christian church, either; there are plenty of people who have a hard time when a fellow believer gets praise or opportunities that they feel they themselves should have had. And when they look at the gifts the Lord has actually given them, those seem smaller … diminished … less than. And then nobody’s happy!
How do you get rid of jealousy? There’s only one way I’ve ever found—and that is to run to the feet of Jesus, grab Him round the ankles, and beg Him for help. He can and will give it. And what’s more, He won’t blame us or look down on us. After all, Jesus is the One who came into the world to take away all our sins—including this one. He took our jealousy to the cross, along with everything else; and through His resurrection He gives us everlasting life instead. What could be better?
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, when I am jealous, help me and set me free. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Tell about a time you felt jealous.
2. What did you do to get over it? Did it work?
3. Does it help to remember how incredibly beloved you are in Jesus’ eyes?