Anxiety and stress, even paranoia are not just modern issues. People in the Bible suffered from the same emotions. Today we’ll see an example in the life of Saul. If we’re struggling with some of those same emotions, could the reason Saul suffered such strong negative feelings be true for us, even to a small degree? If so, understanding it could change our lives.
We’ll also talk about word pictures in the Bible and how Jesus can cause our hearts to burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit by opening our understanding of His Word!
Today’s Readings:
1 Samuel 18 & 19
Psalm 58.1-11
Proverbs 15.27-30
Luke 24.1-35
Anxiety & Stress – Nothing New
1 Samuel 18 & 19:
The Wicked Flee When No One Pursues
Two verses stood out to me in chapter 18. One is written about Saul and the other about David. First, Saul:
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul (v. 18).
That verse sums up what had been going on for a while. David had never done anything but good where Saul was concerned, yet Saul was “afraid” of him.
We love putting labels on everything today. If what we’re going through has a name, it makes us feel better. Today we might call what Saul experienced “paranoia” and the solution offered might well be medication.
But just putting a label on things doesn’t solve the problem and, while I’m not saying medication is always wrong, in this case, it might have gotten rid of the “bad feelings,” but would not have solved the root issue. In Saul’s case, the root was rebellion and disobedience to God’s clear commands. Sin was the root of his paranoia!
Proverbs 28.1 says:
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The other side of that proverb is demonstrated in David’s life:
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him (v. 14).
Several times we are told that “David behaved wisely” and we can see the results as God repeatedly blessed what he did on and off the battlefield. He could step out in faith without fear because he knew God was on his side.
When We Struggle with Depression, Anxiety, or Paranoia
When we struggle with depression or anxiety, paranoia, or some other negative emotion, We should examine our hearts and lives. While I’m not saying that every mental or emotional problem is a sin issue, we should look at our struggles in light of God’s Word. And if there is any unconfessed sin or pattern of behavior, we should repent and seek God’s forgiveness and help. Sin that is not dealt with can lead to many emotional, mental, and physical symptoms.
Note: I did a whole series on Handling Emotions Biblically a couple of years ago. If you’re struggling with fear, worry, anxiety, guilt, anger, or some other negative emotion, you might want to check it out.
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 58.1-11:
Like the Deaf Cobra
I love the imagery in the Psalms. These psalms were written in a day and time when there were no DVDs, no “Live video at 10,” and no computer or TV images flashed around the world. So the psalmists used words to paint pictures: “like the deaf cobra that stops up its ear,” “let them flow away as waters which run continually,” “let his arrows be as if cut in pieces,” “let them be like a snail that melts away.”
And if you have ever read the Song of Solomon, you know King Solomon used some pretty descriptive language, as well.
Instead of rejecting these phrases as strange, let them speak to you. Think deeply about what the psalmists and others were saying as you read their words. Think about what the passages may have meant to the original hearers. That’s one aspect of studying and meditating on God’s Word.
Take that phrase “like the deaf cobra that stops up its ear.” But first, let’s read it in context. David speaking about his enemies said:
3 The wicked have turned away from the womb;
These who speak lies go astray from birth.
4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent;
Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,
5 So that it does not hear the voice of charmers,
Or a skillful caster of spells (NASB).
Snake charmers would appear to hypnotize snakes, often cobras, with the use of an instrument called a pungi. In reality, snakes don’t hear and would merely respond to the movement of the instrument probably considering it a threat. But they were often starved or drugged to prevent them from attacking. It was practiced by magicians possibly like those in Pharaoh’s court during Moses’ time. But to people in ancient times, it appeared the snakes were obeying the sound or voice of the charmers. A deaf cobra or one that stopped up its ear, would no longer obey its master and would bite them instead. That’s how David felt about his enemies.
Thinking about these descriptions can help make the words of Scripture come alive in our hearts. What Bible word pictures, perhaps in other passages, stand out to you?
Proverbs 15.27-30:
Think Before You Speak!
The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil (v. 28).
God said it long before anyone else, “Think before you speak!”
Luke 24.1-35:
Burning Hearts
I love the story about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they were on the way, the risen Christ showed up. Without recognizing Him, they tell Him about all the things that have happened. And in turn:
… beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself (v. 27).
After their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, they proclaimed:
Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us (v. 32)?
Do you talk to Him about what you read in the Scriptures as those disciples did? He is alive and He still walks with those who love Him. He still causes hearts to burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit as He opens our understanding to His truth!
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about what to do to be used by God and how we sometimes do the Christian two-step (one step forward, two steps back). We’ll also look at so-called white magic, what it means to resist the devil, what to do when you’re at your wit’s end, and how to respond to imperfect authority.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them.
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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