Jonathan

Illustration from The Children’s Bible by Golden

He waited for his father to finish speaking.

As soon as he was finished he spoke with him.

“David! Praise the Lord for His victory today! Truly, the Lord has set you before Him to do His mighty deeds. Please, come with me.”

1 Samuel 18:3 NKJV — Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

1 Samuel 18:4 NKJV — And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

He was the son of the king, King Saul’s oldest son.

Next in line for the throne.

He was a warrior, who trusted God to lead him.

1 Samuel 14:14 NKJV — That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.

Jonathan could easily have been full of expectation for his future as the next king, but his heart was surrendered to God.

Jonathan’s life is a lesson in humility, he walked honorably before God.

God had not chosen him to be the next king.

His father, King Saul, didn’t follow the Lord with his whole heart and actually refused to obey God more than once.

Through King Saul’s choices, he removes his own family from the kingly line.

1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV — “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”

But Jonathan doesn’t turn his back on God.

Never, not even once, does Jonathan envy David for being God’s chosen king after King Saul.

Instead, he sees the man who God has anointed to be the next king and he loves him.

1 Samuel 20:17 NKJV — Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Jonathan is an excellent example of friendship.

When King Saul was afraid of David and wants him killed Jonathan first warns David of the danger and then speaks to his father on his behalf.

1 Samuel 19:4 NKJV — Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you.

And Jonathan has to do it again, because his father had become hardened.

At one point King Saul is so enraged by his fear and hatred of David that he tries to kill Jonathan when he speaks to him in defense of David.(1 Samuel 20:33)

Jonathan is humble, and walks in honor before the Lord, no matter what.

Including, honoring his father, although King Saul was no longer an honorable man.

Nothing changed Jonathan, he continued to choose to walk rightly before God.

That same choice meant he followed his father and king into the battle which cost him his life.

He died fighting to protect his king.

1 Samuel 31:2 NKJV — Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.

No one can choose to make others honorable before God.

Each person only has the choice for themselves.

“Will I walk rightly before God?”

That is the question.

Jonathan answered that question very well.

May his life inspire us to choose to be honorable as well.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Jonathan and his life. Thank You for teaching me so much through his example. I love how devoted he was to You, to David and to his father. Please help me to live a life which inspires others to honor You as well. Please help me to be a friend like Jonathan was to David. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Thank You. Amen.

A fresh new day

I awoke after bad dreams.

My heart felt the need to pray.

After a while of laying quietly in bed, I removed to pray where I wouldn’t disturb my husband.

Several people came to mind as I prayed.

Both those who have sent me prayer requests and those who have not.

Of course I prayed for each member of my family.

Eventually, I returned to bed, but not to sleep.

Since, I wasn’t able to sleep I continued to pray.

Just before my husband’s alarm went off, I got up.

Headed to the kitchen to make his lunch.

Made a cup of tea.

I’ve had a desire to make some freezer meals, both for us and our son and daughter who are expecting.

Yesterday, God blessed me with the energy to make some and I’m already well underway at more this morning.

I stopped briefly to eat, take my meds, and reflect.

The early morning light on the back garden is lovely.

And it occurred to me that this is a fresh new day.

Clean, without spot, and Jesus is giving me another opportunity to serve.

Sometimes service means rest and prayer.

Other times it means hard work and patience.

Often it means surrendering my schedule to His plans.

But whatever this day’s service is, I do it for the Lord.

After all, He gave me the day, shouldn’t I use it to honor Him?

Therefore, while I’m doing the task at hand, I’ll be praying and praising God.

After all, He is worthy.

Psalm 18:3 KJV — I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this fresh new day. Thank You for giving me life and tasks to complete. Lord, thank You for Your Word, which teaches, guides, and encourages me, daily. Lord, I want to live unto You this day. Please help my thoughts, my attitudes, and actions to align with Your will and Your Word. Thank You! Amen.

Instead

My husband’s great grandparents.

Years ago, (like more than twenty) the Lord taught me a very valuable lesson.

I was struggling with anger on a fairly regular basis.

One day, as I prayed and washed dishes He gave me a beautiful gift.

Instead of being angry, choose to do something else.

And I remember being so surprised.

I had a choice.

I could focus on my emotions or I could choose something else.

As soon as possible I got some notebook paper and began a list.

At the top it said: Instead of being angry:

Then I had bullet points.

* pray

* make a craft

* bake cookies

It went on, but I can’t remember them all.

This same lesson applies to today.

Instead of being angry or afraid we have a choice.

These times we find ourselves in are an opportunity.

Especially when we look at the children.

What kind of example are we going to be for them?

How can each of us capitalize upon the opportunity before us?

Because it is times like now when our character shows, our examples set a statement about the condition of our hearts.

Courage, love, compassion, and selflessness should be our clothing.

Words of truth and gentleness should be our conversations.

How we handle ourselves will either sow seeds of trust in the Lord, or seeds of doubt, fear, distrust in both God and in our fellow man.

I’m certain our ancestors were not expecting all the trials and tribulations they walked through.

But we still retell the stories of those who sacrificed, loved, and stood for what was right.

What kinds of stories will our children have to tell about us?

What kind of a legacy are we leaving?

Instead of being lead by emotion, I’m choosing to be purposeful.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJV — Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your faithfulness. Lord as we find ourselves in this chapter of unknown and many are afraid, we ask that You will show Yourself to the nation’s. Lord, please walk us forward into Your will each day. Help us to pattern ourselves after Your Word as we face this time of crisis. Lord, we know the names of those You used in the past to make a forever impact for Your kingdom. Lord, let us be people “for such a time as this”. Please work through our lives to bless others. Please work through the nations to draw people back to You. Father, You alone hold all that is worthwhile. Help every heart to turn to You, for the glory of Your name. Thank You, Lord.