"David: 90 Days to a Heart Like His"
1 Samuel 18:1-4
This passage, along with some of the author's commentary, has stayed with me for 5 months now. Here is what He showed me.
"By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to David. From that point on he would be David’s number-one advocate and friend.
2 Saul received David into his own household that day, no more to return to the home of his father.
3-4 Jonathan, out of his deep love for David, made a covenant with him. He formalized it with solemn gifts: his own royal robe and weapons—armor, sword, bow, and belt."
The author notes:
The sacrifice between Jonathan and David is "less obvious than other examples in Scripture, but it is profound... Saul intended for Jonathan to become the second king of Israel", but Jonathan "had other plans" (85). "In David, Jonathan saw character fit for a King. He was so determined that the throne be occupied by God's chosen instrument that he offered everything he had. In this unique covenant, Jonathan sacrificed himself (85)... Jonathan acknowledged David as prince of the Hebrew nation, a position which he could have jealously and vehemently claimed as his own" (86).
A friendship forged from sacrifice. The next line is gold:
"Men like Jonathan are a rarity. Few people we meet in life have 'in mind the things of God' at risk of their own favor and position (Matt. 16:23)" (86).
Is this why we are slow to encourage? What if we could change the story; what if we were Jonathan?
What if we could recognize that we are all on the same team? That we are all running toward the same goal? What if we saw the potential and the gifts, in the people God has given us, as a resource and as a tool - developed and then used for His glory - instead of seeing them as a threat?
We wouldn't have to wonder if we're on track, because somebody has already prayed for this, for you, and said, "this is from Him. Keep running!"
{What if we were Encouraging, in this race, instead of Envious?}
Growth, unity... creativity. Get going!