Jacob The Heel Catcher - Spiritual Adultery

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:19
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

The Apostle Paul, with the love of God burning in his heart for the people of God, longed to know how the Church at Philippi was doing with this great gospel he had delivered to them. Notice that for what he was hoping to see happen, he was trusting IN THE LORD JESUS for. “IN THE LORD JESUS” refers to the will of God that flows into our lives by the Grace of God we have and are receiving daily through faith IN Christ and His work at Calvary. The very reason for these daily posts are to encourage and shine the Light of God in the face of Jesus Christ so that we do not lose hope, faith and our way, as we are waiting for our Lord to come for us.

We, as the Apostle Paul, are comforted when we hear from those we are attempting to reach daily with the wonderful Words of our Lord. We are comforted when we see God’s people clinging to the nail scarred hands of Jesus and forsaking their idols in these last days, when we see them coming out of those places of such mixture and back into the gatherings where there is only one striving, which is the striving of the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). Never look away from the cross of Christ, for when we do, our state will no longer be good, nor that which can comfort others.

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

SHARE the gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
4/2/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“and David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand (I Sam. 27:1).

Once the path of faith is abandoned, all the previous experience with the Lord is put on hold. Not only is there no advancement, but rather a regression! David, at least for a time, forgot the sure Promises of God, and succumbed to the fears of the flesh. Faith had told him, despite the actions of Saul, to dwell in the land of Judah (I Sam. 22:5); however, fear tells him, “I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul.”

Saul, however, could no more have killed David than the idea that the sun is going to rise in the west. So David would go over to the land of Philistines, thinking to escape Saul. Forsaking the path of faith not only causes the loss of past experience, but it also leads into sin and sorrow. We must never forget that there is no halfway house between fellowship with God and fellowship with the Philistine. If the Philistine is made a refuge, then David must dwell in the midst of them, and declare himself ready to fight with them against the people of God (I Sam. 29:8).

In His Love and pity for His Servant, God overruled all for David’s safety, but, at the same time, He also sorely chastened him (I Sam., Chpt. 30). David’s action in joining Achish not only possibly delayed his possession of the Kingdom, but it became the occasion for teaching his 600 men to sin against light and knowledge. Faith does not deny the hindrances and obstacles, as some have been taught to do, but neither does it fear them.

We know what David should have done, but do we know what we ought to do?

We can know, and beyond the shadow of a doubt, if we will firmly anchor our Faith — it’s always by Faith — in Christ and His Substitutionary Work on the Cross. Then the Holy Spirit will be certain and sure to “guide us into all truth” (Jn. 16:13).”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “The Spirit of Separation” April 3

The Christian is called to separate themselves from all things sinful or worldly. While we do not live under law as the means of righteousness, we are still held responsible to walk in holiness. It is our base function to determine what is good and what is evil in accordance to the revealed Word of God and through the leading of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. We are to turn away from the ungodly, the unscriptural, or the demented. That which is an abomination, spiritually unhealthy, or detrimental to our walk with God is to be eliminated from our lives, from our hearts, and from our minds. We are a peculiar people, a different race, a chosen generation. Our Father, who is in heaven, has asked us to mirror His image to the world around us. We are to be separated by Him, to Him, and for Him. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price. We are called upon to glorify Him with our lives. Therefore, it is of the highest necessity that we, by faith and grace, experience the supernatural power to separate from the world, the flesh, and the devil. We have been called to the Spirit of separation.

1 Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:20
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

Christian ministry has always only been through a few compared to the numbers that God could be using. Paul in His day reveals that he did NOT have anyone else who was like minded, that would naturally care for the state of God’s people. We, as God’s people are called to be like minded in that we are striving together for the faith of the gospel. When this is no longer what we are striving for, we will find ourselves making a new group with a new name for ourselves and whatever it is which we are striving for.

Those who are learning to deny themselves, to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus are experiencing this very thing in ministry. There are very few who are like minded, which refers to fighting to keep one’s faith in Christ AND His work at the cross, for this is the exclusive avenue through which the natural care for the Body of Christ flows. Jesus on His Way to the cross was forsaken one by one until He was all alone, and those who minister this same gospel which the Apostle Paul ministered will find very few who are like minded. Nevertheless, there will always be an urgency to press ahead for the sake of the people, and the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

SHARE the gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
4/3/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands? (I Sam. 29:5).

Before coming to the Throne, the Twenty-ninth Chapter of I Samuel records the lowest point of David’s experience with the Lord. He professes himself ready and eager to fight against God’s beloved People, and to help Satan destroy them! All this shows how deeply a Child of God can fall when he leans upon the hand of man and not upon the Hand of God.

Concerning this, Williams says:
“The path of faith is wearying to nature; and there is an ever present temptation to seek ease from the thorns through which that path sometimes leads.

“The persecution of Believers oftentimes has the effect of throwing them into the arms of the enemies of God; just as Saul’s hatred drove David to the Philistines. But this only happens when the Christian follows his own will, and thinks, by doing so, to avoid the very difficulties which, had he walked with God, would have become channels of teaching and refreshment to his soul. The more glorious a work there is for faith, the more sure is nature to weary if faith grows feeble.”

David dwelt in the country of the Philistines “a full year and four months.” For that time, we might quickly say, he was totally out of the Will of God (I Sam. 27:7). To be out of the Will of God is the worst place in which a Believer can find himself. Such a position presents a load too heavy to bear, and a price we cannot afford to pay. Good never comes from such a position; to be sure, God always, and without exception, has a Perfect Will for each one of His Children. We must find that Will, get in that Will, and stay in that Will, no matter the seeming difficulties
(Rom. 12:1-2).”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=778080149383610

Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “Judge Righteous Judgment” April 4

All Christians are to assess that which is right and that which is wrong. The Bible teaches us that we must “ abstain from all appearance of evil.” In order to do this the Christian must recognize what evil is and steer clear of it. God’s people are exhorted never to call evil good or good evil. Both of these commands require an evaluation on the part of the Christian. The truly born-again believer has been given two great guides by which we may accurately and righteously judge all things. The first safeguard is the Bible. What God says is wrong is always wrong; plain and simple. Anything that the Bible says is improper, inappropriate, or sinful has already been judged by God. The Christian must agree with God’s assessment of an issue or they are rebelling against the truth. The second source comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who is given to every believer at redemption. He guides us into all truth. These two sources never contradict one another. The Holy Spirit will always confirm the Word. It does not matter what the world says, what other believers say, or what popular opinion embraces. Jesus taught us that we are to judge righteous judgment and we do so by the Spirit and by the Word!

John 7:24 - Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:21
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Unfortunately, this is referring to the born again, Spirit filled Children of God, and today we as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ are in this worse predicament than ever before. Will we today seek the things that are Christ’s, which is here referring to Christ’s people? Jesus said to Saul (Paul), before he was born again, “Why do you persecute Me (Acts 9:4)?” It was Christ’s people who were being persecuted, but Christ said it was Him. When we are not tending to Christ’s people according to the Word of God, we are not tending to Christ.
Faith in the actual gospel, which is the death of Jesus Christ on our behalf, is so that we can be forgiven of our sins, become the Family of God, and tend to the things that are Christ’s (Luke 1:74-75, 9:23). The problem is always our object of faith. Faith cannot fail because it works by love (Galatians 5:6) which cannot fail (1 Corinthians 13:8), and God is love (1 John 4:6,18), and that love was MANIFEST at, and imparted from the cross of Christ (1 John 4:9-10), therefore when we are not tending to the things of Christ, our faith really isn’t what we are pretending that it is. Come back to the cross, for it remains the only avenue of power for tending to the things of Christ, and there we will experience what He died to give us!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

SHARE the gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
4/4/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“and David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God (I Sam. 30:6).

David seeking the aid of the Philistines greatly hinders the Operation of the Holy Spirit in his life, as proven by the Amalekites taking advantage of the situation by invading the land and burning with fire Ziklag, David’s home at that time. How so much we bring upon ourselves bitter troubles because we are out of the Will of God! If such a man as David, a man after God’s own heart, who wrote over half of the Psalms, and, above all, through whose family the Messiah ultimately would come, could miss the Lord, as David obviously did, then we certainly should understand that any of us are also capable of such!

It was a bitter trial for David and his men to come back to Ziklag, where all of the wives and children were, and to see the city burnt with fire, and to find that all of their loved ones had been taken as slaves by the Amalekites. Suffering and loss accompany departure from the Lord; there must be chastisement in order that Restoration be effected. To be sure, chastisement is grievous, but it yields the peaceable fruit of Righteousness (Heb. 12:11).

Even though David had so grievously sinned against the Lord, still, the Lord was to David a present Deliverer and a gracious, forgiving Saviour.

At this time, looking at the ruins of what had been their homes, David’s men grew fiercely angry with him, even threatening to stone him. It was truly the low watermark of David’s life; however, despite the past failures, and despite the present situation, which was bleak indeed, the Scripture says, “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” He cast his burden upon the Lord, which is the only place for the Believer to go. Regrettably, the modern Church has opted, at times like this, to seek the help of other mere mortals, and I speak of humanistic psychology.

Let it ever be understood:

There is no help from that source. Its wisdom, if it has any at all, is sensual and devilish (James 3:15), while “the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

Let it ever be known:

As God was David’s refuge then, He is our refuge now! Times may change, but the problems are the same; the solution is the same, as well.

Because “David encouraged himself in the LORD,” he was able to recover every single thing he lost, plus much more besides (I Sam. 30:18-20). Let David’s experience be a lesson to all. Whatever the problem, irrespective of the failure, if you will turn to the Lord, despite what others might say, you also can “recover all.”’

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

“PSALMS CHAPTER 91

PROBABLY WRITTEN BY MOSES: GOD IS A REFUGE AND A FORTRESS

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (The previous Psalm introduced the Wilderness and contrasted the misery and happiness of travelers in it who trust self or God. This Psalm points to the one Man Who passed through it undefiled, unhurt, and trusting and loving God in perfection.

The absence of a superscription suggests that the Psalm was written by Moses, for the previous one was written by him. If this be so, then all the Scriptures quoted in the temptation in the desert [Mat., Chpt. 4] were Mosaic.
That the Messiah is the great figure of this Psalm is decided by Mat. 4:6.)

2 I will say of the LORD, He is My Refuge and My Fortress: My God; in Him will I trust. (As Christ enters the “secret place of the Most High,” the Holy Spirit assures Him that companionship with God will be a safe refuge from Satan’s power and from all the dangers of the way.)

3 Surely He shall deliver You from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (The “snare of the fowler” was the demon forces of darkness that opposed Christ, either through the evil religious leaders of Jesus’ day, or in their own capacity. They came in such quantity that they were called the “noisome pestilence,” which means a “rushing calamity” — one that sweeps everything before it. Christ had the promise of the Holy Spirit that He would be delivered, and so He was!)

4 He shall cover You with His feathers, and under His wings shall You trust: His truth shall be Your shield and buckler. (This Passage has to do with the Holy of Holies. It speaks of where God dwelt between the Cherubim and the Mercy Seat. He invited Christ to dwell there with Him. In turn, Christ paid the price for us, that the Holy Spirit may dwell in us [I Cor. 3:16].)

5 You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day (the “terror by night” speaks of the spiritual darkness of Satan. The “arrow that flies by day” refers to the deliberate effort by Satan to destroy the soul. The Evil One devises a temptation, oppression, or trap for the Believer, and then shoots it like an “arrow.” The only thing that can stop it is the “Shield and Buckler” of Verse 4);

6 Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. (“The pestilence that walks in darkness” pertains to every scourge of Satanic darkness. The “destruction that wastes at noonday” refers to Satan’s destroying great multitudes, yet not touching the Child of God, who is dwelling in the “secret place of the Most High.”)

7 A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. (Untold millions are being destroyed by the powers of darkness; but the Believer who puts his trust in God is promised that “it shall not come near you.”)

8 Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. (The results of living without God are overly obvious!)

9 Because You have made the LORD, Who is My Refuge, even the Most High, Your Habitation (the Holy Spirit here is the Speaker. The Messiah is assured victory by the Holy Spirit only because He “has made the LORD His Refuge.” Since Christ is our Substitute, the Lord can be our “Habitation” as well);

10 There shall no evil befall You, neither shall any plague come near Your dwelling. (Because His “dwelling” is in the “secret place of the Most High,” it is impossible for “evil” to befall you. Verses 11 and 12 were quoted by Satan, and his quoting them showed his intelligence in recognizing that the Psalm applied to Jesus [Mat. 4:6].)

11 For He shall give His Angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. (This shows how much Satan knows the Bible, but yet he still thinks he can circumvent the Word of God. Angels did constantly help Christ [Mat. 4:11; Lk. 4:10–11]. However, Satan corrupted the Scripture by omitting “in all your ways,” and inserting in its place “at any time.” The Messiah’s path through the desert of the Wilderness was one of dependence upon God. Satan’s effort in the temptation was to move Him to independence, but he failed. Christ walked a path of perfect submission, obedience, and dependence; likewise, all those who walk after Him in like dependence and faith can be assured of His Victory.)

12 They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Satan attempted to get Christ to commit the sin of presumption, which means to twist the Word of God in order that it mean something that God did not intend.)

13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet. (Satan quoted Verses 11 through 12 in the temptation of Christ, but he did not dare quote Verse 13, because it promised his defeat [Gen. 3:15].)

14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My Name. (These are the words of the Father. How amazing that sinful men should be permitted to hear the sweet converse of the Three Persons of the Trinity!)

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (Christ has been greatly honored for what He did at the Cross by being given a Name that is above every name [Phil. 2:9].)

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my Salvation. (This speaks of Christ, but even more so, it speaks of the man who trusts Christ, and thereby reaps the benefits of what Jesus did at Calvary, all on our behalf.)

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “Judge Not?” April 5

Since the Believer is to judge all things by the Word and the Spirit, why does the Bible say, “Judge not, that ye be judged? The type of judgment that is forbidden is not the evaluation of a situation or an action.That kind of judgment is necessary daily. The judgment forbidden is the judgment that purposely lowers the status of someone else while elevating the status of self. In other words, you are belittling someone else in an effort to raise your own self worth. Especially if the reason for which you are denigrating someone is either unfair or unjust. Some are quick to degrade another while they themselves are doing something equally horrendous or sinful. We should leave the overall condition of another’s heart to the judgment of the Lord. We should recall our own bitter tears when we ourselves fell victim to our emotions and acted in an inappropriate way. Any of us could find ourselves in despair and horror of giving in to some vile temptation. So beware before you cast a stone, feeling that you have the perfect right to do so. What the Bible says is wrong, is wrong; no question about that. Just be sure you check your motive before justifying being harsh towards another.

Matthew 7:1-2 - Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Many messages will be preached this morning concerning what God is able to do, but will we be pointed to the place He does it all?

THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST

I don’t need only to hear what God is able and willing to do but also HOW and WHERE He will be found doing it!

COMING BACK TO THE PLACE GOD SPEAKS FROM AND WORKS THROUGH

This is REALLY what 2 Chronicles 7:14 is all about!!

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:22
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

The Church in Philippi knew the faithfulness of Timothy, who Paul claimed that he didn’t have anyone else like him that cared for the people like he did. Timothy had served the Lord by serving with the Apostle Paul “IN THE GOSPEL.” “IN THE GOSPEL” is the only place anyone can be found serving our God and His Son Jesus Christ. We became servants of Righteousness the moment we believed upon Christ (Romans 6:17-18), and THAT FAITH, AND THAT PROCESS, is the only avenue of serving God which He will accept and reward. WOW!! The power of the Gospel!

The question today is, “Who are we serving “WITH” in the gospel? The gospel, which is the message of the cross of Jesus Christ must be what we are known for, through the manifest fruit of the Holy Spirit that will be seen when our faith is truly there. When our faith and our message is that of the work of Christ at Calvary, the fruit will be there. Most today will not like it, but there are a few who are humble and will be glad when they hear it (Psalm 34:2). Have we told someone about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we supporting prayerfully and financially a ministry that is known for and preaching and teaching ALL of God’s Word in that Light? God is calling His people back to the only place He works (Psalm 33:4). The Truth!!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

SHARE the gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
4/5/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=439212293593153

Evangelist Torrance Nash Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“so Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together (I Sam. 31:6).

It is believed that Saul was twenty years old when he was crowned king. He reigned forty years; therefore, he would be sixty at the time of his death. The sunny morning of his beginning ended in a black night of horror and death. It must be said that self-will wrecked his life and his reign (I Chron. 10:13-14). In that self-will, he found himself opposing God at every turn of his life. He disobeyed what he was commanded to do, and he opposed the one whom the Lord had called, namely, David. Only one who is born of the Spirit can serve and please God. Saul was raised up, as a king after the people’s heart, to deliver them from the Philistines and other enemies.

Please read the following words very carefully:

If it were possible for “the natural man” to do God’s Will, and to win victories for the Lord, then Saul most definitely would have succeeded; but he didn’t succeed. He rather failed, and failed miserably! He perished at the hands of the very enemies he set out to conquer! Such must ever be the result when “the flesh” attempts to do battle for God. And yet, most Christians, sadly and regrettably, attempt to live this life in the manner of Saul instead of the manner of David.

Most modern Christians simply do not know how to live for God; consequently, they make the attempt in all the wrong ways, which results in the words of the Apostle Paul being fulfilled in their lives, “O wretched man that I am . . .” (Rom. 7:24). Living for the Lord can be carried out successfully in only one way, and that is by the Believer understanding that everything we receive from the Lord comes to us exclusively through Christ as the Source and the Cross as the Means.

Ever maintaining the Cross as our Object of Faith guarantees perpetual victory (Rom. 6:14), and is the only manner of victory.”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2658968744225463

Sonlife Broadcasting Network was live — at Sonlife Broadcasting Network.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=653733215186780

Pastor Curtis was live.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “Simplicity” April 6

The Apostle Paul wrote about the simplicity that is in Christ. It is interesting that the man who wrote some of the most difficult passages in all of the scriptures should write this statement. Paul knew first and foremost the in-depth details of God's redemption plan. So why did Paul speak so highly of simplicity? As we endeavor to sort out the meaning of every passage, and as the effort is made to properly exegete, decipher, or comprehend the truth of God's Word, there are times we may feel a bit overwhelmed. It is then that there is a need to take a deep breath, take a step back, and recall to mind the simple things that we are basing our lives and our eternal future on. Jesus Christ is the Savior who paid the price for my sin. My faith in Him has granted me forgiveness, imputed righteousness, and victory over sin. Simple! So if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, just journey back to the beautiful simplicity of who Christ is and what Christ has done for you. Simplicity will help the heart and mind come to rest in the peace of Christ. That peace will help you sort out the bountiful details of God’s redemption plan.

2 Corinthians 11:3 - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Pastor Loren Larson

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:23
Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Paul really desired to go and see the Philippians himself, but if not possible, he would attempt to send Timothy to learn of their state there in Philippi. It is always the heart of God and His people to see others striving for the faith of His Gospel (Philippians 1:27), and encouraging others to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Many times we also are waiting to see how God’s will unfolds, so that our direction will be better understood.

God’s will for our lives must always be that which He is doing, therefore we must wait on Him, for His plan is one of perfection (Romans 12:2). When our faithful Lord is performing His will, many times it doesn’t look like what we would choose, and to see the greatest picture of this, we can look to Christ and His work at the cross. It appeared that He had lost all power, but it was that same power through humility and obedience that He was laying down His Life for you and me (John 10:18). Faith there and there alone will reap the grace of God that He tasted death by (Hebrews 2:9). This is what brings about the declaration, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.”

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

SHARE the gospel of Jesus Christ on Social media!
Youtube: curtishutchinson316
4/6/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker (II Sam. 3:1).

As is obvious, there was contention and outright hostility for many years between “the house of Saul” and “the house of David.” To be frank, fellowship between the two was impossible.

Concerning this, Williams says:

“As then, he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the Spirit, so is it now (Gal. 4:29). A carnal nature is the enemy of the spiritual; but victory is assured to the latter.”

Why did the Lord allow “Saul” to continue? For many years, Saul caused David untold problems. As well, many of us presently struggle with difficulties, all the time knowing that God has the Power to eliminate those difficulties, and to do so immediately. But yet He oftentimes allows them to continue. Why?

First of all, the Lord minutely looks after His Children, even to the extent of numbering the very hairs of our heads (Mat. 10:30). This means that nothing can happen to us but that the Lord either causes it or allows it. Of course, He definitely doesn’t cause us to sin, but He does allow us to do wrong, that is, if we are so foolish to do so. And if we do so, there will be negative results!

The Lord allowed Saul to continue as long as he did for many reasons. One of those reasons, no doubt, was the attempt to get Saul to repent. The Lord loved Saul; regrettably, that love was not reciprocated. However, the greatest reason of all, probably, for allowing Saul to continue was that David might learn trust and faith, which, despite what some say, can be learned no other way (II Cor. 12:9-10).”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart