Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sunday, August 23, 2015
Today’s Scripture:
“And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.” (1 Samuel 20:41)
Today’s Observation:
King Saul harbored anger toward David and sought to kill him. The king followed him from place to place looking for an opportunity to kill him. At one point, he threw a spear at David trying to nail him to the wall, but he missed. On another occasion, the king sent his men to David’s house. Michal, David’s wife, told him to leave quickly because the king was looking for him. They decided to have an idol put in David’s bed with some fake hair to fool the soldiers. The king found out that she tried to trick him and when asked why she treated him that way, Michal said that David threatened to kill her if she did not do what he said.
David went to his best friend Jonathan, who happened to be the king’s son, to find out why the king was so adamant about killing him. Jonathan assured David that the king would not kill him, but as you might imagine, David did not believe him. Eventually, after conspiring together to find out the real intentions of the king, they came up with an elaborate plan. David would not be in his place at a feast the king was having. They said if the king asked where David was, Jonathan would say that he asked to go to Bethlehem as he always did at this time, and depending on the king’s response, they would know whether or not he was truly planning to kill him. If the king became angry, they knew he was serious. On the second day of the feast, the king did ask where David was. All went according to plan and the king was furious. He was angry, and knowing that Jonathan was helping David, he tried to kill Jonathan too. Jonathan escaped and alerted David of his father’s intentions, just as they had agreed before God. They left one another with an oath before God that they and their offspring would always be at peace.
This is a beautiful story about true loyalty, fellowship, and family. One would think that since Jonathan was the king’s son, he would be on his side trying also to capture and kill David. Such was not the case. Jonathan demonstrated by his consistent actions that he and his earthly father were not truly family. He and his friend David, because of their Godly fellowship, were true family. This is a painful realization that all must come to at some point or another. When we choose to follow the Lord all of the way, some of our blood relatives will be against us and the Lord will give us true family according to Christian fellowship. In fact, this is what Jesus promised while He was here. “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:28-30). “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50).
Life Application:
In this time of widespread unfaithfulness, it can be discouraging when our blood families are against us, but we must not despair. We must do all within our power to lead them to Christ, that we may be in fellowship with them as well. Only the Lord can change hearts and we must cooperate with Him by patiently and lovingly praying for them. Whatever the outcome, thank the Lord every day for true family.
A Prayer for Your Hearts:
Lord, please teach us how to win souls for you, so we can increase the family of heaven. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
