Short-lived promises...

And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. (1 Samuel 19:8-10 ESV) If this sounds familiar, you are not losing your mind or memory. Saul had tried this before. But even more recently he had promised his son: "David shall not die." It takes far more than passionate promises to change the heart. It takes some changes deep down within to give long-lasting change. Saul had told Jonathan what he wanted to hear. But when the pressures of life renewed, and Saul was overcome with fear and envy, all promises were forgotten. As he held his spear, he demonstrated his fear. (Who needs a spear sitting in his own palace???) How often do we tell people what they want to hear, then fall back into our old sinful patterns of behavior? It takes far more than a sad-spoken statement: "I won't do it again." It requires humility of heart to admit: "I am wrong. I need help. I am the problem. Change ME, o God." Let us be sincere in word, and may our promises be true.