Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 20
Scripture Focus: “Show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever”… And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul. (1 Samuel 20.14-15a, 17)
Devotional Thought: It was an expected practice, in David's day, for an incoming regime to wipe out all vestiges of the old regime. As part of the old regime, all that Jonathan could expect from David was death.
In this story, Jonathan represents you and me – sons and daughters of the old kingdom, the dying kingdom, the kingdom of Saul. Just as Jonathan came to David, we can come to Jesus with confidence:
· Jonathan’s confidence was due to the steadfast love of the Lord. Our confidence is due to the fact that God loves us! He gave his one and only Son for us.
· Jonathan pressed his claim not only for himself, but also for his family. Remember the foreign mother, who brought her daughter to Jesus and was not turned away, then press your claims for your family!
· Jonathan made David promise to remain true to the original covenant. What an amazing thing – Jonathan had no power over David, yet he made him swear by his love! As Jacob of old wrestled with the Lord, do not let go until you receive the blessing you seek.
· Jonathan loved David as his own soul. Jonathan’s demands were not one-sided. Had he not loved David, had he not trusted him, then he could have not been able to come before him in this manner. When we press our claims before God, we must do so in complete love and trust.
Oh wonderful grace of Jesus!
Prayer: Show us your steadfast love, that we may live and not die. Do not cut us off from your love, we pray, for we love you as we love our own souls, O Lord. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 80.4-7
4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!
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