HE FIRST LOVED US

DAVID AND JONATHAN

 

Read 1 Samuel Chapters 18–20

 

     Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:3-4 NIV

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      David’s success in battle resulted in Saul’s extreme jealousy toward him. The people praised David by singing and dancing in his honor when he returned from battle. As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."(1 Samuel 18:7) Jonathan, Saul’s son, could have been jealous also, but the Spirit of God drew him into a loving covenant with his future king.
      Jonathan’s story is a beautiful picture of the covenant we enter when we receive Jesus as our friend and Savior. Just as Jonathan said, 'The LORD is witness between you and me…forever.'" (1 Samuel 20:42) Likewise, the covenant of salvation God makes with us through faith in His Son is forever even into eternity.

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     Lord, I praise You for Your friendship with me. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) - and You gave your life for me even before I was Your friend. Help me to live by faith in the light of Your unfailing love.

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      Then they kissed each other and wept together–but David wept the most. (1 Samuel 20:41 NIV)
We love Him (Jesus) because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19 NKJV)

DAVID AND GOLIATH

Eliab and David

Read 1 Samuel 17

      When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are … you came down only to watch the battle." "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter… 1 Samuel 17:28‑30

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      One cannot help but smile in reading this interaction between the oldest and youngest of Jesse’s sons. God had already put it into David’s heart to lead Israel, though neither David nor his brother knew it yet. David would have to go through many trials before God gave him the throne as king, but he was anointed by Samuel while he was still a boy. Now, as he faces Goliath, it becomes obvious why God chose him. But God also had plans for David’s brother Eliab, just as he does for all of His people.

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      Lord, I have no idea what you have planned in the future for my children and grandchildren. But my deepest desire is that they will follow You and love You with all of their hearts. As we faithfully ask You for wisdom to teach them; speak to their hearts and lead them to walk in Your perfect will.

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      Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand …” 1 Samuel 17:45-46a NKJV

GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART

JESSE AND SONS

 

Read 1 Samuel 16

      But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

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      God had singled out the family of Jesse of Bethlehem from which to choose the next king. Samuel was sure that the oldest son Eliab was the chosen one. He was the oldest and was tall and handsome, as Saul had been. But God’s choice was the youngest son, David, who though ruddy and handsome himself, had a heart for God.
      David was in God’s plan before time began. His descendant would be our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the king the people of Israel would have been given in the first place, if they had just waited on God. God’s timing is always right, and his choices are based on what is inside the heart.

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      Lord, help me to teach my children to look for qualities of character, rather than just outward appearance. Forgive me when I set a bad example in judging others by the way they look. Help me to wait patiently for Your plan for our lives, knowing that Your timing is perfect.

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     He (David) was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 1 Samuel 16:12 NIV