I Samuel 23:15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul
had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to
David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 “Don’t be
afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king
over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The
two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David
remained at Horesh. (NIV)
David had a threat against his life; naturally it inspired
fear. Jonathan, a true friend came to
David in the middle of this crisis and “helped him to find strength in
God”. Jonathan did it by looking to the
future and recalling the prophetic promises of God. David had heard the word of the Lord but he
needed his friend to come and remind him, to extend his own faith to cover
David in his moment when his spirit felt weak and ready to give up.
Later in I Samuel 30:6 David is again in crisis. After being expelled from the Philistine army
David and his men returned to their town Ziklag. To their dismay and much anger they found the
town raided and their families and wealth carried off by the raiders. Here was
David, their leader who had not delivered in getting them a share of the spoils
from the Philistine fighting and on top of that their families were
devastated. The approval rating of David
as leader was lower than low.
What should David do?
Perhaps he thought of his friend Jonathan and wished he was
with him, surely Jonathan would be loyal.
But Jonathan was far away. But
David did remember the words and ministry of Jonathan. Verse six says: David found strength in
the Lord his God.
Then, with the strength of the Lord upon him, and a word
from the Lord to go recover what was stolen.
He led his men into battle and rescued their families and wealth as well
as additional plunder the raiders had captured.
God vindicated David his servant the man after God’s heart
rather than fame and fortune. Because
Jonathan came and strengthened David’s heart in the Lord later David was able
to remember and come before the Lord again.
When strength fails and circumstances overwhelm let’s
strengthen our hearts in the Lord. Let’s
be aware of those in our sphere of influence whom God may be nudging to help
them find strength in the Lord.
I wrote the above late last week while feeling rather
blue. The Lord ministered this into my
heart and strengthened me in him; which is to say faith ignited in my heart, a
whole mustard seed’s worth. From there
it was a powerful weekend in faith inspired prayers in a Saturday night prayer
gathering that led to a break through morning at CCF.
