Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 20:13, may the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the Lord be with you as He has been with my father.
When I read this verse, it reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Jonathan was the kind of friend that knew how to prove his love. His love was not just lip service. He showed his love by his actions, and his attitude. He was willing to put his life on the line in order to help David. Jesus said, in John 13:15, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” 1 Corinthians 13 tells us love is kind, does not envy or seek its own. Jonathan’s words of encouragement to David were kind. His words, “the LORD be with you as He has been with my father” were words that clearly demonstrated that he did not envy what God had chosen for David’s life, even though it was going to affect Jonathan’s chances of inheriting the throne. Jonathan could have used his friendship with David, and Saul’s hatred for him, to his advantage to gain future access to the throne. Instead, he chose to show his love for David by coming along side him, endangering his own life, and not envying the fact that God was working in David’s life, as was plainly seen by Jonathan. He did not look after his own interests, but those of David. Philippians 2:3-4 clearly commands, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” When others see our actions and attitudes, do they see the love of Jesus? Do they see the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 or do they see envy, selfishness, and self-centeredness? What kind of friend are we? What kind of brother or sister in Christ are we? When the opportunities arise for us to come along side those whom God chooses for His service, are we ready to come along side and help them shine, or are we more interested in trying to steal the limelight for ourselves? Demonstrating true love towards others, toward those we claim to love, should always manifest itself in our actions and our attitudes toward them, and shine brightly for the glory of God.
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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