Are We "Flea Chasers?"

From the time David's popularity in the kingdom angered king Saul, we are told that Saul, "eyed David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 18:1-9). After several unsuccessful attempts to have David slain, Saul and 3,000 of his men pursued David into the wilderness of Engedi. While there, David confronted a surprised Saul, and in the ensuing conversation asked him, "After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?" (1 Samuel 24:14).

For a moment, let's think about the above scene. With all of his kingly duties and responsibilities, the King of Israel takes 3,000 men and chases after one innocent man? David sees Saul's "great campaign" to pursue him, like someone chasing a flea (a trivial thing), and in so doing, makes an application for us as God's people today.

God has set before us the greatest and most urgent work on the face of the earth — that of teaching the gospel of Christ to lost humanity (Matthew 28:19-20). As soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3), we are to be continually fighting the "good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). As wise men living in days that are evil (2 Timothy 3:13), and knowing God's judgment to come (Romans 2:1-6), we must be wisely "redeeming the time" (Ephesians 5:16).

We need to guard against allowing our time, talents, and resources becoming occupied with trivial and unprofitable matters. In essence, becoming a flea chaser like Saul. It is important then, that we recognize and overcome the little "fleas" that become big hindrances to our faithfulness. For example, pride can make "flea chasers" out of us as it did Saul. An inordinate concern for the approval and praise of men, has turned many a heart from the Lord (John 12:42-43). Such pride hinders the need to acknowledge any wrongdoing, confess sin, and seek forgiveness. Pride is not only a form of selfishness, but pride also diverts us from our heavenly goal (Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12; James 4:6).

Additionally, the anxiety that Jesus deals with in Matthew 6:24, can make "flea chasers" out of us as well. We cannot serve God while chasing fleas [mammon] (1 John 2:15-17; cf. Romans 12:2), for we will always experience personal problems, family problems, business and economic problems, etc. The remedy is to give God's kingdom and His righteousness "first priority" (Matthew 6:33). We can also become "flea chasers" in seeking after earthly treasures and personal pleasures (Matthew 6:19; Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Jesus reminds us that such cares can choke out the Word and render us unfruitful (Matthew 13:22), thus hurting the Lord's cause.

Thus, the question becomes, "Are we flea chasers?"

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets