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April 13th
Our Bible reading today is in 1 Samuel chapters 18,19,20 and Psalms 11 & 59.
Five chapters of reading. 5 to 10 minutes in God’s faith filling presence for our day.
The Samuel reading tells us that King Saul was jealous and angry at God’s choice for the next king in Israel. Saul was living with a strong determination to be the final decision maker for his destiny and his legacy.
What a memorable beginning Saul had with God...surrendering to his will no matter what. Twenty years later he was bound to be the master of his fate. A grand start...but a very sad ending for a one time hero in Israel.
The rest of the story is the beginning of Saul’s quest to kill David and put his son Jonathan upon the throne in Israel. Right in the midst of Saul’s slide toward murderous infamy, God raised up Saul’s son Jonathan, a mirrored image of the Godly devotion seen in David.
Instead of learning, from his son, a renewed love for God, Saul threw his spear at Jonathan in anger and bitterness toward God. The message of hate and rage in Saul against David was loud and clear...intimidating at least...deadly in promise.
Two things helped David in this critical time of dodging speers and sorting out threats. A “good friend” and “conversations” with God.
The Bible record says that Jonathan stood in the gap between his jealous and angry father and his friend, David. The text says that Jonathan loved David. And that he and David were of the same heart and mind toward God. They both loved the Lord passionately.
Our reading says that the crown prince of Israel removed his royal robe and sword and gave it to David. Jonathan knew that God was upon David to be the next king...not himself. And because of their walk with the Lord, there was no room for awkwardness, just loyalty for each other’s success.
Wow, friends in the Lord forever bound by their one supreme devotion to God. Bound by their single desire to glorify the Lord, in life and death.
So God gave David a faithful friend in Jonathan (for 17 years) who encouraged him and helped him escape Saul’s attempts at killing him. But in addition to a good friend, God called David to Himself in prayer times as testified to by a song that David wrote in Psalm 59.
“O my Strength, I will watch for You...for You O God are my fortress. “My God in His steadfast love meets me and lets me look in triumph over my enemies.” Ps. 59
God gave faith upon faith to His son and servant David that translated into a confidence that saw victory even before the battles were over.
Remember when Jesus said to his disciples that he no longer called them servants but friends? For the master reveals himself to his friends.
Jonathan was exemplary for sure. But Jesus is still way better...when He calls us friends...we remember how he laid aside heaven and laid his life down so that we could have, not just life, but life abundant and life eternal.
Thank you Jesus...enjoy the rest of the story.
Have a great day
