THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
When we have gained God's grace, we find greater safety than those residing in cities, even when we are in desolation, for divine assistance is our most formidable shield and an unbreakable barrier. To comprehend how someone in solitude can be more secure and powerful than one entrenched in urban settings surrounded by vast human support, we recall how David, roaming from one place to another, was upheld by the mighty hand of God. In contrast, Saul, ensconced among the cities and fortified by numerous troops, spearmen, and guards, trembled with fear daily, fearing the enemy's assault.
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David, in his solitude, required no human aid, while the king, adorned with a crown and royal robes, found himself in need: Saul needed the shepherd, the crowned ruler required assistance from one of lower status (1 Sam. 18).
If you wish, let us explore the narrative from a slightly higher vantage point, fully laying out the event so we can grasp that nothing is stronger than a man upheld by divine aid, and nothing is weaker than one devoid of it, even if surrounded by an enormous army. David, still a youth, lived in his father's house, but as the time approached for his valor to be revealed, he obeyed his father's instruction to visit his brothers. Upon arriving, he discovered that the Israelite army was in fear of the Philistine giant Goliath, and that even the king was at risk of losing everything. Initially, David came merely to witness this unusual sight where one man dared to confront thousands. However, his brothers, unable to tolerate his courageous spirit, envied him and asked, “Did you come only to see the battle?” (1 Sam. 17:28). David displayed great wisdom and humility, refraining from harsh words as he calmed their envy, by asking, “Are these not words?” (1 Sam. 17:29). He made it clear that he had not taken up arms nor was he joining the ranks of the army; he only desired to understand the source of such immense pride: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).
Upon hearing Goliath's boasting and witnessing the fright that gripped Saul's men, David questioned, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine?” (1 Sam. 17:26), showcasing the boldness of his spirit that led all to wonder. Saul, hearing of this brave youth—who was forthright yet untrained in warfare—initially dismissed him due to his youth. However, when David recounted how he had defended his flock from bears, it became apparent that his proclamation was not boasting but an attempt to inspire Saul with faith and to reveal the strength that came from above. Recognizing David's inner courage, the king attempted to arm him with his royal equipment, but David could barely bear the weight of the armor. This was to better manifest the power of God working through him, ensuring that the victory could not be ascribed to mere weaponry. Feeling burdened by the armor, David discarded it in favor of a shepherd's pouch and a few stones, setting out to confront the formidable giant.
Goliath, seeing David’s youth and apparent weakness, mocked him, proclaiming, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” He followed up his derision by rushing towards David, armored and holding his weapon, while David advanced armed only with faith and reliance on divine assistance. In response, David humbled Goliath’s arrogance with his words: “You come to me with sword and spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts” (1 Sam. 17:45). After selecting a stone from his bag, David, as if driving away a dog from the flock, flung it with a sling, striking Goliath squarely in the forehead. The giant fell lifeless to the earth, and David swiftly took his sword and beheaded him, thus ending the conflict. At that moment, the king found deliverance, and his entire army rejoiced in newfound freedom. Observing such a miraculous event, it was remarkable that an armed warrior fell to one who was unarmed, a seasoned combatant to a shepherd. The difference lay in the support of divine strength that empowered David, while Goliath was without it, leading to his demise.
Consider the reckless actions spawned by envy. When King Saul witnessed the glory bestowed upon David and heard the maidens proclaiming, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” (1 Sam. 18:7), he could not endure it. Instead of celebrating, he allowed envy to consume him, repaying the one who saved him with hostility, even plotting to kill him. Oh, the depths of madness! The one who had saved his life and liberated his army began to view the benefactor as a foe, forgetting the graciousness shown to him, blinded by envy that clouded his judgment.
Such is the betrayal of envy: it primarily harms the envious soul. Like a worm that infests a tree, envy first eats away at its own host from within. The feelings that one harbors do not manifest as the desired outcomes for others, but rather yield adverse effects. Envy disregards beginnings and focuses on outcomes, as the malice borne from it only amplifies the glory of those whom the envy targets. Those who endure envy draw forth divine support while the envious find themselves stripped of grace and vulnerable to downfall. Enslaved by their own spite, they self-destruct, ultimately sinking into despair.
Knowing this, let us earnestly shun this destructive passion and expel it from our hearts. It is the most devastating of all vices that jeopardizes our salvation—an invention of the devil, as the wise admonition reminds us: “By the envy of the devil, death entered the world” (Wisdom 2:24). What does this mean? When that wicked serpent beheld the first man, created immortal, his jealousy led him to entice Adam to disobedience, thus binding humanity to death. Envy begets temptation, temptation leads to sin, and sin births death. Therefore, it is rightly stated, “By the envy of the devil, death entered into the world.”
Do you see the horror of envy? The one exalted with immortality succumbed to death. The adversary of our salvation, overcome by envy, brought about the condemnation of the first man, while our benevolent and loving Lord, through His own death, restored our immortality, granting us even greater gifts than we lost. The devil stripped us of paradise, yet Christ elevated us to heaven; he condemned us to death while the Savior bestowed upon us eternal life; he deprived us of delight, but our Lord prepared the heavenly kingdom for us.
Consider how the wisdom of our Lord transformed the very weapons of the devil’s envy against our deliverance, turning them back upon the enemy. Furthermore, our Lord has not only blessed us with even greater gifts than those experienced in Eden, but has placed the devil himself under our authority, declaring: “Behold, I give you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:19).
In light of these truths, let us rid ourselves of envy and diligently seek the favor of God. His grace is our invincible weapon and greatest power. Through His support, Ishmael, though still a youth in the wilderness and facing great adversity, was elevated and blessed with a numerous offspring, as the Scripture affirms: “For God was with the young man.”
With these thoughts, let us conclude our discourse. I implore you to disregard present hardships and seek spiritual elevation above all earthly delights, valuing God’s favor as paramount, so that through virtuous living, we may cultivate unwavering confidence and secure our passage through this life, attaining future blessings through the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power, and honor, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.