As I read this, I had to think... How hard this had to be for Jonathan. He had a decision to make, obey his father the King or obey God. Jonathan knew the word of the Lord and it said you shall not murder. Jonathan then "Did the next right thing" as pastor Chris would say, by warning David.
We are under authority, and commanded to submit to God’s order of authority in many different arenas. There is a Biblical, commanded submission from children to their parents, wives to their husbands, from citizens to our government, from employees to Bosses, and from Christians to their Pastors. We are never dismissed from sin because someone else told us to do it. We all have the freedom of choice.
Acts 2:29 reminds us that We ought to obey God rather than men.
This was clearly demonstated. Jonathan did not look at the punishment that he would receive from disobeying God. I just pray that we all can be that obedient to God's word and ways. Do you know anyone that would stick up for you like this? Jesus Christ delights in you, loves you, and DIED for you. Not because of who you are or what you have done, but because He is full of grace and love and all you have to do is ask and believe in order to recieve it.
The war that they spoke about was more than just between Israel and Phillistine. We are in a spiritual war at all times and this was definately clear here. David's success made Saul jealous, and that is where the distressing spirit of the Lord came upon Saul. Saul had been touched by God when he first agreed not to Kill david, but here he becomes jealous and allows Satan to rule his life again. The evil spirit of the Lord, was God allowing him freedom to walk away from God. The freedom to choose his own path.
How many times do we do that ? We are trusting and looking to God and next thing you know satan pulls the wool over our eyes, and we are like lost sheep falling over the cliff.
Saul allowed himself to be spiritually attacked, and when temptation came he tried to again Kill David. However as we well know, God's ways are victorious, and David escaped. Saul meant it for evil, but the Lord meant it for good. God wants nothing but good in our lives as well.
I encourage you to read Psalm 59 the song that David wrote right after this happened. I can only hope that I can respond even 1/2 as good as David did.
When David went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him, David did the right thing when in a difficult and confusing situation. He spent some time with a godly, christ centered man. Can you picture David asking, Why is god allowing this to happen ? Does God want me dead ?
Saul sent messengers to take out David, again and again. We don't like to admire the devils work, but look at his work ethic, his persistency, and each attack stronger than the next.
But we can praise GOD for the glorious outcomes, and victories. This is a great example, the messengers instead of killing end up prophesying or spreading God's word. They got caught up in the worshiping, praising and devotion to God. and it tells us " the spirit of God came upon them." Not that they were told to worship God, but God actually came to them. The same way God came to us. The Holy Spirit knows how to protect us! The safest place for us to be in the whole world is walking in the Spirit, allowing God to control our lives.
Todays reading came at a time I needed remembrance of God's word. Thank you GOD !!! I face a custody trial monday, Satan's attacks always get stronger, but GOD can withstand it all !! When you are faced with financial problems, marital problems, health problems, remember that God has seen and experienced it all. God can do anything, but will we let him ??
The messengers thought, “This will be easy! Look at how defenseless David is! Look at how distracted he is! And none of these prophets can stop us!” But the Spirit of the Lord had other plans, and protected David. Satan thinks the same of us. But we have the power of God with us. If we are to defeat Satan we must be in God's word strengthening our swords. Jesus defeated Satan by not only quoting scriptures but by trusting in God. God gave us the ability to do the same.
Three times, the Holy Spirit said to Saul, Leave David alone. My Spirit is stronger than you are. But Saul didn’t listen. Instead, to an even greater degree, Saul took matters into his own hands as he then went to Ramah.
It is our choice to listen to God or to ignore him. God allows us to choose our path. He also allows us to carry the larger burden when we choose the wrong path.
When it said that Saul stripped himself and prophesized, Saul learned to humble himself when the spirit of God came upon him and he laid aside his prestige and power and allowed God to rule over his life.
God wants us to humble ourselves... Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)
God showed Saul so much mercy and Grace even though Saul kept backsliding. Our God forgives and Loves. He does the same thing when we backslide. When we allow our earthly surroundings to become more important than our heavenly father. When we focus on things of this earth and not in the heavens.
Heavenly father, help us to focus more on you and less of this world. Help us to be like David and to trust in you completely. Help us to become victorious in your will and ways lord. Help us to live lives in such a way that when those who are against us see that they can turn to you themselves and in turn spread your words and love more and more.
Verses 4-5, "Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, 'Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he saw the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?'"
Jonathan was the ultimate advocate for David. Because Jonathan went and spoke the truth to Saul, David was safe and was even restored back to Saul. We all need people like Jonathan in our lives. But we can't just be looking for a Jonathan, we must be a Jonathan. I need to consistently look for opportunities to be an advocate for people. I want to speak highly of and encourage others. I want to be able to prevent harm from happening to the people around me.
I know I need a Jonathan, but I also must be certain that I have the heart of Jonathan for others.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
As I read this, I had to think... How hard this had to be for Jonathan. He had a decision to make, obey his father the King or obey God. Jonathan knew the word of the Lord and it said you shall not murder. Jonathan then "Did the next right thing" as pastor Chris would say, by warning David.
ReplyDeleteWe are under authority, and commanded to submit to God’s order of authority in many different arenas. There is a Biblical, commanded submission from children to their parents, wives to their husbands, from citizens to our government, from employees to Bosses, and from Christians to their Pastors. We are never dismissed from sin because someone else told us to do it. We all have the freedom of choice.
Acts 2:29 reminds us that We ought to obey God rather than men.
This was clearly demonstated. Jonathan did not look at the punishment that he would receive from disobeying God. I just pray that we all can be that obedient to God's word and ways. Do you know anyone that would stick up for you like this? Jesus Christ delights in you, loves you, and DIED for you. Not because of who you are or what you have done, but because He is full of grace and love and all you have to do is ask and believe in order to recieve it.
The war that they spoke about was more than just between Israel and Phillistine. We are in a spiritual war at all times and this was definately clear here. David's success made Saul jealous, and that is where the distressing spirit of the Lord came upon Saul. Saul had been touched by God when he first agreed not to Kill david, but here he becomes jealous and allows Satan to rule his life again. The evil spirit of the Lord, was God allowing him freedom to walk away from God. The freedom to choose his own path.
How many times do we do that ? We are trusting and looking to God and next thing you know satan pulls the wool over our eyes, and we are like lost sheep falling over the cliff.
Saul allowed himself to be spiritually attacked, and when temptation came he tried to again Kill David. However as we well know, God's ways are victorious, and David escaped. Saul meant it for evil, but the Lord meant it for good. God wants nothing but good in our lives as well.
I encourage you to read Psalm 59 the song that David wrote right after this happened. I can only hope that I can respond even 1/2 as good as David did.
When David went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him, David did the right thing when in a difficult and confusing situation. He spent some time with a godly, christ centered man. Can you picture David asking, Why is god allowing this to happen ? Does God want me dead ?
Saul sent messengers to take out David, again and again. We don't like to admire the devils work, but look at his work ethic, his persistency, and each attack stronger than the next.
But we can praise GOD for the glorious outcomes, and victories. This is a great example, the messengers instead of killing end up prophesying or spreading God's word. They got caught up in the worshiping, praising and devotion to God. and it tells us " the spirit of God came upon them." Not that they were told to worship God, but God actually came to them. The same way God came to us. The Holy Spirit knows how to protect us! The safest place for us to be in the whole world is walking in the Spirit, allowing God to control our lives.
Todays reading came at a time I needed remembrance of God's word. Thank you GOD !!! I face a custody trial monday, Satan's attacks always get stronger, but GOD can withstand it all !! When you are faced with financial problems, marital problems, health problems, remember that God has seen and experienced it all. God can do anything, but will we let him ??
The messengers thought, “This will be easy! Look at how defenseless David is! Look at how distracted he is! And none of these prophets can stop us!” But the Spirit of the Lord had other plans, and protected David. Satan thinks the same of us. But we have the power of God with us. If we are to defeat Satan we must be in God's word strengthening our swords. Jesus defeated Satan by not only quoting scriptures but by trusting in God. God gave us the ability to do the same.
Three times, the Holy Spirit said to Saul, Leave David alone. My Spirit is stronger than you are. But Saul didn’t listen. Instead, to an even greater degree, Saul took matters into his own hands as he then went to Ramah.
It is our choice to listen to God or to ignore him. God allows us to choose our path. He also allows us to carry the larger burden when we choose the wrong path.
When it said that Saul stripped himself and prophesized, Saul learned to humble himself when the spirit of God came upon him and he laid aside his prestige and power and allowed God to rule over his life.
God wants us to humble ourselves... Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)
God showed Saul so much mercy and Grace even though Saul kept backsliding. Our God forgives and Loves. He does the same thing when we backslide. When we allow our earthly surroundings to become more important than our heavenly father. When we focus on things of this earth and not in the heavens.
Heavenly father, help us to focus more on you and less of this world. Help us to be like David and to trust in you completely. Help us to become victorious in your will and ways lord. Help us to live lives in such a way that when those who are against us see that they can turn to you themselves and in turn spread your words and love more and more.
Verses 4-5, "Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, 'Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he saw the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?'"
ReplyDeleteJonathan was the ultimate advocate for David. Because Jonathan went and spoke the truth to Saul, David was safe and was even restored back to Saul. We all need people like Jonathan in our lives. But we can't just be looking for a Jonathan, we must be a Jonathan. I need to consistently look for opportunities to be an advocate for people. I want to speak highly of and encourage others. I want to be able to prevent harm from happening to the people around me.
I know I need a Jonathan, but I also must be certain that I have the heart of Jonathan for others.