The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 16:11-15, “And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are these all the children?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he.’
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.”
15 Saul’s servants then said to him, ‘Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.’”

Verses previous to these cited above reveal that Saul, although originally chosen by the LORD, was replaced by Jesse’s son, David. He was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, tall and winsome. Yet, it was the LORD’s Spirit upon him that made him what he was.

It is the teaching of verse 13 that the Spirit of the LORD came into David’s life, prompting him to follow the Spirit in the things the LORD had produced for him to do. Where the Scriptures say, “…an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you,” we are to understand that those in Old Testament days saw the “evil spirit” as being under the LORD’s sovereign control.

Such is still the case! Our LORD is not the “author of evil”; yet, He establishes how far and to what extent the devil (and his adversaries) can go in harassing mankind.

There are those today who seek to analyze and categorize “evil”; yet, it is best to leave that, too, to the LORD. Satan undoubtedly seeks to mask the work of his spirit, so as to confuse those who would follow the LORD God! Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “…even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

We will not be hindered from understanding Satan’s tricky disguises, if we focus clearly on the teachings of the LORD Jesus! It’s a good idea to pray that Christ will give you understanding before and when you seek to study His Word! Read slowly. Savor every word. God bless you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom