(Read 1 Samuel 19:1-7)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” We learned yesterday that king Saul had gotten to the point where he literally hated David, even though David was married to his daughter, was best friends with his son, was respected by the Soldiers, and loved by the people. None of that mattered to Saul and he wanted David dead.
Chapter 19 opens with king Saul urging his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David. But prince Jonathan, David’s best friend, immediately went and told David what his father was planning. That was a dangerous move, because Saul was so unstable that he could have ordered the death of his own son, if he found out that Jonathan was betraying him. But Jonathan risked it and said to David, “Tomorrow morning you must find a hiding place out in the fields. I’ll ask my father to go out there with me, and I’ll talk to him about you. Then I’ll come back and tell you what I find out.”
The next morning Jonathan spoke to his father about David, saying many good things about him. He said, “The king must not sin against his servant David, for he has never done anything to harm you. He has always helped you in any way he could. Have you forgotten about the time he risked his life to kill the Philistine giant and how the LORD brought a great victory to all Israel as a result? You were certainly happy about it then. Why would you murder an innocent man like David? There is no reason for it at all!” Jonathan made a compelling case to the king, especially when you consider the fact that the words were coming from his own son. Jonathan’s words got through to his father and Saul vowed, “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed.” Afterward Jonathan found David, told him what had happened, and then brought David to Saul for the two to reconcile. It seemed to work, at least temporarily, and David went back to serving Saul.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. You can receive favor by grace. To me, favor is when the Lord raises up people who use their power, their ability, and their influence to help you in ways that you cannot help yourself. What prince Jonathan did for David, with his father the king, was a clear case of favor. David did not ask Jonathan to do it and Jonathan did what no other man in the kingdom could have done. Jonathan talked Saul ‘off the ledge’ and protected David. When you walk with God and your ways please him you will find that people will help you, without you asking for the help, and they will help you in ways that you could have never helped yourself. That’s favor and it comes to us by grace. Not because of anything we do to deserve it; simply because of God’s love for us and His desire to see us fulfill our divine assignment.
2. Don’t move unless the Lord tells you to move. I run into Christians all the time who want to run away from a situation at the first sign of trouble. People run from jobs, business opportunities, marriages, and etc., just because of challenges. Guess what? Everyone faces challenges and opposition is NOT an indication that you are outside of the will of God. David was right where God wanted him to be and you can be ‘right-smack-dab’ in the middle of God’s will and still face opposition. All that means is that you have the grace to face it. So don’t move unless the Lord tells you to move. Don’t run away just because it gets hard. How can you experience the Lord as an overcomer if you never have anything to overcome?
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. Your grace on my life opens the door to favor. You give me favor with others to the point where You raise up people to use their power, their ability, and their influence, to help me in ways I cannot help myself. They may not even know why they are helping me, but they help me nonetheless, and they help usher me into Your best. Father, I know I will face challenges. All that live Godly shall face persecution. I know it is not always going to be easy. I know You did not promise me a perpetual picnic. But I also know that You have graced me to face every challenge head-on. I am the head and not the tail; above only and never beneath; the winner and not the loser; the victor and never the victim. Things may get hard, but I shall not cave in, give up, or quit. I never run away from challenges, because Your grace is on me to overcome every one! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
