...All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
This truth is clearly seen in the life of two kings. In fact, the first two kings of Israel. Saul, the people's choice and first king and David, God's choice and second king.
Saul had a humble start and some success at the beginning of his kingship until the grace of God gave humble David great military victories as he served in Saul's army. With David's success in battle he became very popular with the Israelite people.
5 Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well. 6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." (1 Samuel 18:5-7)
This exposed a problem of proudness in Saul that grew over a period of time. It grew into a great jealousy of David. Proudness is often the fuel for anger and jealousy.
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" 9 And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:8-9)
Shortly thereafter; 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. (1 Samuel 18:10-11)
Saul in vain would spend the remainder of his days trying to kill David. God-less Saul would never destroy David but himself as he fell on his own sword to escape death by the hands of the Philistines (1 Samuel 31). It is true "God opposes the proud"... "He mocks proud mockers."
Afterwards as the Lord was with him, David went on to be Israel's greatest king. God was so pleased with David that he promised him through the prophet Nathan: "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 6:16). Christ's eternal kingdom will be forever linked to the family lineage and kingship of David as God "gives grace to the humble."
Want to avoid the opposing and the mocking by God as was Saul? Want to be lifted up and cared for by God's mighty hand as He is with you as He was with David? Then listen and obey as we return to (1 Peter 5) continuing on to verses 6 & 7; Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Rex McDonald, Associate Evangelist