Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 18:1, Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
When we stop and consider who Jonathan and David were, it is utterly amazing that they had this kind of relationship. Jonathan was the rightful heir to the throne, being Saul’s son. David was a shepherd boy. Two men from two completely different backgrounds, yet they shared a friendship and love for each other that could only be explained by the bonding that takes place between two people who know the Lord intimately. Jonathan, like David, demonstrated his faith in the Lord when he courageously attacked the Philistines along with his armorbearer in chapters 13 and 14. These young men shared a common faith that bridged the differences in their family backgrounds. There is nothing that brings a blemish to the Name of Jesus more than a Christian, or Christians, who discriminate against another Christian(s) or unsaved person, based on their background or status in society. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are called to love one another. In John 13:34-35 Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The relationships we have with each other speak volumes to the unsaved world. How do we convince the unsaved that there is love within the body of Christ, when we cannot get along with each other? How do we convince the world that we are true followers of Jesus, who know how to love one another, when we cannot even bring ourselves to show the love of Christ and do good for one another? Galatians 6:9-10 clearly state, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” There have been times when I have met another brother in Christ where a bond was created that made us feel like that was not our first meeting, and like we had known each other for years. What made the difference? The Holy Spirit of God made the difference. We are not to discount, in this case, that God had already anointed David to be king, and God was the One who gave favor to each man with the other. However, we must also not discount free will, and the fact that Jonathan could have chosen to be jealous of David, as his father Saul eventually was, and become David’s enemy also. Jonathan’s love for David was deep-rooted. This love surfaced as Jonathan heard David’s testimony to Saul. There is a common bond that brings us together when we hear each other sharing testimony of how God is working in our lives, and we realize that we share love for Christ. This is why it is so important that we not forsake the assembling with one another, as we are commanded in Hebrews 10:24-25. The times we gather together are not only times of encouraging one another, but they are also opportunities for us to bond with other believers. The Lord did not intend for us to fight in this battle alone. He wants unity in His church because our enemy also has an army that is united, as we know from Ephesians 6. In 2 Samuel 1:26, David said this about his love for Jonathan, “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” There was nothing inappropriate about David and Jonathan’s love for each. It was a pure love that came from having a common faith in the one true God. As we continue to see their love for each other, we will see that their love was an unselfish love; a love that was a great picture of Jesus’ love for us; a love we will discuss in greater detail in the next devotional.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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