Ian’s lets listen to Jesus

I am overwhelmed this morning with thoughts of the love of God – the height, the depth, length, and width of it and more so since He has revealed this love to me in the fact that He took my place on Calvery.

“It is so easy to speak of love – a word which provokes feelings and thoughts of a huge variety and depth in each person. Some people have been so disappointed by the broken promises of someone who claimed to love them and later let them down. Others may have experienced the heights of ecstasy followed by the depths of despair due to the fickleness of their lover. On the other hand, I have taken pains to show that my love is absolutely steadfast, never wavering or failing. The ultimate demonstration is in the death of My Son Jesus on the cross for your sake, taking every punishment due to you on Himself and setting you free from bondage. Free to love Me fully and experience My love. Never get tired of contemplating My love and seeking to experience it in our most intimate relationship.”

We come now to 1 Samuel 27. This short chapter may seem to be fairly barren, describing a period in David’s life voluntarily exiled again from His beloved Israel and the Promised Land of Canaan. At first reading it may not be completely clear what was happening in this foreign territory.

Despite his apparent reconciliation with Saul, it is clear that David does not trust his fickleness, so he chooses again to put himself at the mercy of Achish who we have met earlier when David was alone and fled there pretending to be mad eventually to keep himself safe. Now, however he has 600 men with him as well as all their families and represents a potential threat to Achish. Achish tolerates his presence, even giving him some land to settle on, but obviously remains nervous and suspicious of David and his intentions.

To set his mind at rest David pretends to attack various tribes of Israel, who were living in various places in the Negev. The word Negev means South and describes those Israelites who had settled in the Southern part of the Promised Land. He is clearly trying to deceive Achish into thinking he had turned against Israel and was therefore no threat to him. Hence the last vs 12: “Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so odious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant forever“.

Instead, David was raiding other pagan tribes and to prevent this from being discovered he was simply killing everyone on each raid.

There is no judgement given in this chapter to help us evaluate what David was doing, so we need to approach it with care, asking Jesus to speak to us through it.

Our first impression is to be horrified at David’s behaviour, especially the apparent unnecessary annihilation of whole tribes of people including women and children.

Before we make too strenuous a judgement we should try and understand some of the pressure David was under. Spending years fleeing from a determined foe with great powers and the ability to kill him at any moment. He must have been desperate to leave the comfort of his beloved Canaan and hide under the power of a pagan king who was not really well disposed to him.

Nevertheless, where is the great faith that he had shown with Goliath, believing he could accomplish anything in God’s name? Had the constant fleeing eroded his faith? What about the times God had apparently delivered Saul into his hands?

The main positive note in the story is his commitment to not harming his own people in any way, despite his exile. Admittedly he had taken this to extreme, being prepared to kill innocent women and children. There is no way that the bible expresses approval of these actions.

Looking at it from a New Testament perspective, we can say that the NT equivalent to Israel in the OT is the church. And the question I found myself asking was, “What is my commitment to God’s church?” How would I react if I was forced out of a fellowship, or even out of a position of responsibility that I enjoyed? Would I at all costs (hopefully legal and moral) continue to defend this group even if they had become hostile to me?

David clearly had a very high view of God and hence the importance to him of firstly his anointed king at the time and secondly the chosen people of God. Do I have such a high view of God that I will defend the church and its members as strenuously as possible?

One thing is also clear. David was very human and full of failings, like each one of us and nevertheless we know that in Acts he is described as a man after God’s own heart. So, God continues to love us and use us, despite our shortcomings. What a wonderful relief that we have a God who is so full of grace and love that He sent His Son to die for us so that these character wrinkles can be ironed out.

Have a blessed week.

Am I totally sold out on you oh lord, you know innermost desires of my heart?

”As I look into your heart as every other person I have created, I see a huge mixture of emotions. On the one hand the desire to make me the most important in your life, your thoughts, your desires. On the other hand, there are many issues which take your attention and drag you away from me. Take heart, I look at the intentions of your heart and understand the complexity of it. Your desire is to seek me completely and I will honour that desire and help you to accomplish it by My grace. yet the trials and tests of this world are there to test and grow your faith – not to destroy it. So, I hear you as you sing; ‘As the deer pants for water, You alone are my heart desire and I long to worship You.'”

Chapter 26 of 1 Samuel almost seems like a repeat of ch 24. However, although Saul is once again relentlessly pursuing David, circumstances have changed. Things are out in the open and David is no longer so vulnerable. On seeing that Saul was exposed to him David plans a daring intervention in an attempt at diverting Saul and his murderous intentions. Accompanied by Abishai they enter Saul’s camp and take some trophy’s to prove that they were there.

Although Saul is completely at his mercy David refuses to harm him on the basis that he was God’s anointed. Once again David confronts Saul with the evidence and Saul appears to be heartily sorry for his actions. But a worldly sorrow? 2 Cor 7:10

As I pondered this passage, I wondered how much of a role Satan was playing in pushing Saul to kill David. We need to remember that David was in a line of kings who would eventually end with Jesus. From the beginning of Matt gospel, we read how Satan tried to annihilate this Messiah king. Was he already active at this stage of God’s story? We should at all times be on our guard against Satan’s attempts to derail God story which is playing out in our lives,

I was struck again how David acknowledged God all the time as the story unfolds cf vv 9.16,19,23. In turn there is no doubt that God is there all the time with David cf v 12.

Maybe we feel that we are not as important a part of God’s story that He should also be intimately with us as we live our lives. However, I believe while David was an important part of God’s story each one of us is equally important to God and He is busy all the time in our lives too. Are you totally sold out on God’s providence? It is such a deeply reassuring fact that God is big enough and wise enough to be involved in each of our stories. Of course, the way He is involved is far above our understanding and therefore tends to puzzle us. We can rest assured though that His way is always the best.

God bless till next week.

I am sure you do not seek groveling servants. But servants that humble themselves under your mighty hand and yet can discover their full potential in you, this is another Christian paradox.

“Yes, I said blessed are the poor in spirit and blessed are the meek – that does not mean that your personhood has been downplayed and degraded – it means a recognition of your total need and dependence on Me – and you recognizing this both spiritually and physically – it is easy to start there and slowly move away again to and independence of thought, of self-worth and self-love. You are called to live a complete, fulfilled life in Me – but the emphasis is” in Me” – it is only in recognizing everything you have, every blessing you have is in Me and through Me and by Me that you will experience that.”

As we move into Ch 25 of 1 Samuel, the first vs brings a key moment in the story. With a simple statement, “Now Samuel died”. The role of the great prophet has decreased and slipped into the background as David and Saul have taken over prominence in the story. Yet this prophet has played a key role in identifying the future kings and his importance is emphasized by the names of the two books covering that period of history.

This whole chapter is further taken up with the story where a lady called Abigail plays a prominent role. David has been protecting that area of the country with his men. At that stage there was much lawlessness and fighting among various bands of men and David had taken it on himself to protect the local population.

When he sends word to the most prominent and rich landowner Nabal, to send him supplies, in payment for his protection, Nabal answers him most rudely and this provokes David to want to seek retribution. When Nabal’s wife hears of this she takes it upon herself to defuse the situation by going behind Nabal’s back and taking the supplies that he had requested to David and more. When Nabal is told about this he is so angry that he actually dies from a stroke or heart attack.

Now to me this is an important story because it gives us a faint prediction of what Jesus did on the cross on our behalf.

You see, since the time of Adam, God’s wrath has been focused on each person for demanding their independence from Him. His wrath is finally expressed in the death and eternal separation from Him and all that is good by each person. There was only one way to deal with this and that was for someone who was totally sinless and did not deserve His wrath to take that wrath on Himself. In so doing He turned God’s wrath away from us onto Himself. This act is called “propitiation”.

In a sort of similar way Abigail through her act of supplying what David had requested and more, she turned his wrath away from her husband and all the people who worked for him. In the process she ran the risk of her husband taking his anger out on her, but was protected by an act of providence which took the husband out.

The chapter ends with the note that David takes this woman as his second or third wife.

Several times as the story unfolds, we are given a glimpse of David’s various wives. It seems that amongst other reasons he used them as a means of making political progress as he moved towards kingship.

As I finished this chapter, I reflected again on the amazing act of Jesus in turning God’s wrath away from us. A wrath which makes Nabal’s uncalled for anger appear as almost mild by comparison.

May God bless you in this coming week as you consider these things.

I am overcome with thoughts of the vastness of God in size, power, love – awesome thoughts overwhelm me.

It is hard for My creatures to really take in the size and spread of My presence and My power which is focused on you through My grace. But there was a specific moment when that entire power met and impinged on My creation here on this planet where you live. It was a moment when My love in My Son was taken from him and poured out on you so that you could escape judgement and be free – free from slavery to sin and to the law. Free to be the people you were created to be. Consider how difficult it is for my vast presence to be real and close to you, therefore I have made a Way by becoming one of you I can now relate in a new way – a way which you can understand and appreciate. Yet behind all this I remain huge and awesome and unfathomable.

As we continue to read in 1 Samuel 24, the relentless pursuit of David by Saul continues and reaches a climax. However, the climax is not at all what the reader would perhaps have expected. Instead of Saul achieving his goal to catch David and put him to death, God delivers Saul into David’s hands.

Consider for a moment the feelings David must have had, after fleeing for several years, living often under great hardship, even pretending to be mad to escape another enemy. And then God apparently, according to his men, vs 4, delivers Saul into David’s hands. What a moment of triumph, of relief, maybe. He can kill Saul and come out into the open and be crowned king.

Yet at that very moment David is more prepared to obey God’s voice than his own feelings. He perceives Saul as God’s anointed one and he therefore should not touch him. Can you imagine how strong the temptation must have been to take Saul’s life and be done with it.

As I read this passage my thoughts went to the general feeling most people have when they feel they have been wronged. Most people’s first reaction is to find a way to exact revenge. To get back at the cause of their tribulation. If you watch stories on TV you will soon see that many of them are focused and often climax in a most “satisfying” act of revenge.

As I considered this, I thought of Paul’s words in Romans 12:17 – 21. Especially vs 19 :”Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath...” This, folks is so counter-intuitive. It is our nature to want to extract revenge. Just look at Gaza. But the gospel is counter-intuitive. The gospel calls us out to be different. The main point is that we do not naturally have that attitude, it is only after we have been transformed and have the help of the Holy Spirit that we are able to follow this instruction.

That, my friends, is an ideal example of being a witness for Christ. When one takes on that attitude then people will look and say, “But why is he different?”

David made many mistakes. But one thing stands out, he adored Yahweh and really wanted to honour Him and this was one of the early signs of that. There is perhaps much about David and some of his behaviour which could call us to wonder why he is called by God as a man after God’s own heart. Without plumbing the full depths of that statement, it seems that our estimate of what God sees in our hearts may sometimes be questioned. Certainly, God seeks people who will love Him with all their hearts, souls, bodies and strength. This can only be accomplished through the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in what we call the gospel and will be demonstrated in their lives and actions.

Plenty to chew over again this week, if you so wish. God bless till next week.

Thank you Lord for everything you are, for everything you have done for me and for the whole world. The song “I will never know how much it cost to see my sin upon the cross” is ringing in my ears.

“Look up into the endless space – yes, it is apparently endless – yet in every part of it I am present. Not in a passive way but actively continuing to control this beautiful universe – for My benefit – for My glory. Everything is ultimately focused on Me and My glory. Yet in the centre of this picture is a jarring cruel smudge. A cruel cross on a hill I created. A symbol of My commitment to you and all mankind and all of my creation. Yes, ‘you will never know how much it cost to see your sin upon the cross’ – yet it was done gladly because of My great love for you and for every person I have created. Continue to appreciate and continue to walk the path towards My glory first and then yours because of Me.”

Last time we discussed the question of our ability or not, to choose freely. It was intended to remind us of our responsibility to make right choices and point out the need to choose correctly to others especially non-believers in the question of salvation. It was in no way intended to cast any doubt or shadow on God’s total souvereignty. That is the given basis of our reformed theology, so that we can truly trust the statement in Ephesians 1:4 “For, he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he has predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will”

As we come to Ch 24 of 1 Samuel the story of David’s flight from the demented and occultic mania of Saul to kill him continues. The question of God’s souvereignty hangs like a glorious backdrop to the unfolding story. We see a number of instances where God intervened in various ways to save a fleeing David. For instance, the last paragraph vv 26 – 29 with David almost in Saul’s clutches God arranges an incursion by the Philistines into the country. which distracts Saul. Jonathan also appears as a support for David as he encouraged David and “helped him find strength in God“. v 16

At the same time David is not passive. Several times David inquires of God what He should do next: vv2 ,4,9, 12. Which shows how he was depending on God and His guidance in this headlong pursuit.

David on previous occasions had withheld himself from the opportunity to strike back at Saul, regarding him still as God’s anointed. He was also giving succour to this band of refugees who now were part of his band of men which followed David and had grown to about 600 (v 13).

All this time, while God was actively manipulating the final outcome of the events, David had to continue to make wise and active choices. He did this while depending on God to guide him through the various ways available to him – a prophetic word, the ephod and Jonathan. This is hugely comforting to us yet a challenge that we should at all times be aware of the importance of the choices we make and the need to walk closely with God.

We can all lookback and see God’s hand on our lives if we are perceptive. Let me give you a small testimony of one of the instances when God intervened in my life. From the moment when I was in Std 9, when I decided to become a vet, this decision slowly grew to be a passion. At the end of our first year which we could complete at any uni, we could apply for selection to go to Onderstepoort. My first year at Pretoria University went well and I had a quiet confidence that I stood a good chance to be selected for one of 25 places at Onderstepoort for my second year.

At home on our farm in the Karoo near Colesberg I waited to hear if my application had succeeded. The letter came and with shaking hands I opened it and my hopes were dashed as I read the opening line: “We regret to advise you….” I was devastated. I had no plan B. I staggered out of the room and for the next week I wandered through the veld and kopjes on the farm with only one sentence on my lips: “Oh God please change that decision. Open a way for me to go to Onderstepoort. I so badly want to do this.” The dassies must have got tired of me sitting with my head in my hands mumbling this prayer over and over again.

I had always believed in God and prayed to Him but had no born-again relationship with Him. I had never even heard of that. A week later a telegram arrived. “There has been a cancellation, so you have now been selected to attend the second year at O/P”

It was always God’s plan for me to follow this profession. However, He chose to take me along this path which had a huge effect on me. It opened a new dimension in my belief in God being real and ready to answer our pleas.

Is God’s souvereignty real and complete? Absolutely! Does He expect us to make responsible and wise choices all along the way? Absolutely! May He continue to bless you in this coming week as you consider these things.

Two things which are in separable – God’s love and the cross. Those are inseparable from His love for you as you are sealed into a potent inseparable relationship with God Himself.

“It is good that you recognize the cross as the great symbol of My love. It stands out far above anything else in history – it is the marking point of the world’s destiny and any words about love or any other emotion which don’t have the cross somewhere in mind are not permanent or absolute. So, revel in that awful symbol of cruelty because it is there where your freedom was won because of My deep, deep love for you. This is the great enigma of the Christian faith like so many others which are often difficult to grasp – however let these thoughts just lift you up and carry you forward as you revel in that reality which you can see of a love which you cannot always see and grasp”.

Today I will pause and address Lilly’s concern about whether we have freedom to choose. This is a vast subject and one which has caused great contention in the past, so it is impossible in the space I have today to deal with it exhaustively. What I will do is put forward a number of thoughts concerning the subject for you all to ruminate over.

To start with there are some concepts which are clearly defined in God’s word and others which are not so clearly defined but revealed in many different ways as the bible story unfolds. As one reads this story, ideas which seem to contradict each other or seem to express opposing views sometimes come to the fore. There are a number of such apparent enigma’s in the word. I like to think that the truth lies, held in tension between them. They are often difficult to grasp completely and lead us back to realize the God is so much greater and wiser than we are and His ways “unsearchable” in Paul’s words in Romans 11:33. That is when we have to step back and be careful of making definite judgements when He has not given us a clear one Himself. It is tempting to try and put God in a box where everything is clear and cut and dried and you can understand Him completely. He will not allow that however, He is always mystical in a way and far above that.

Going back to the beginning of the creation story we are presented with God’s interaction with the first people He has created. He, in somewhat pictorial language gives them a choice. They could follow Him or follow their own way. He clearly did this because of His intention in creating man as expressed for instance in Acts 17:27 “God did this (created man) so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him” God wanted a being who would seek to have a relationship with him.

When man decided to follow their own way in rebellion to God’s invitation in Genesis, God was angry and placed a curse on the whole of the creation and especially on this very creature whom He had wanted to love and have a relationship with. The result was that every person since then is born with a bias away from seeking God which is clearly described for instance in Romans 3 cf vs 10 “There is no one who righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God.”

God’s rescue mission through Jesus provides a way out of this impossible situation. Through Jesus we can have a softened heart and a relationship with God through His Son. The question is, “does He grab some people by the scruff of the neck and force them to love Him and follow Him?” Clearly not, he makes the offer and each person is invited to respond by faith to receive this gift.

Is this response a free choice? Well, given our bias it cannot be entirely. Yet there is a degree in which we have to exercise our choice to follow Him and receive the New Birth, otherwise we would simply be puppets. So God is operating in His sphere of grace as He draws us into making this decision. cf Ephesians 2: For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God”.

To help me understand this I imagine God wooing each person like a lover (Maybe that is why the book called “Song of Solomon” is included in the word). Of course, He is an all-powerful lover and can create circumstances to suite His purposes, but within this there is still, there must be a degree to which we are responding of our own “free” will.

Then once we have been saved this dance with Him as our lover continues. He places before us diverse challenges and tribulations in which He is inviting us to trust Him. We are continually faced with the need to make choices. These choices can lead to various outcomes, but in the end He is so controlling the final outcome so that His will will be achieved.

Ultimately the verse that Lilly quoted (Ephesians 1:4) gives us the assurance that when we look back we can see that He chose us before we were even born and predestined our lives, so we are completely secure in His love. It is nevertheless pertinent that we present the choice to everyone that they should choose Jesus and leave it up to Him to complete the dance. That is what Jesus Himself did repeatedly.

I hope I have not confused you all, but this is a hugely difficult subject to describe and pin down. We need to continually remind ourselves that God is souvreign and far above our understanding.

Please comment if you wish. Do this by clicking the title of this blog and the comments section will open up. Questions are also welcome. God bless till next week.

If you seek me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart.

” As I created man, I sought to have a creature who would make it his life’s goal to seek me. To make me the center point of his life’s goals. But I wanted that to be a free choice, that is why I placed an alternative to seeking Me in the garden. They rest you know and understand – however My goal is still to woo as many as will respond into a relationship with Me which starts with them seeking Me. This attitude of searching for Me will always be rewarded – I will open the door, I will answer you with the greatest gift – My love through My Spirit and ministered through My grace. So, as you seek – here I am waiting to be found are you.”

In Chapter 22 of 1 Samuel, we see David still on the run from Saul. In Ch 21 David was completely isolated, on his own and without any weapons to protect himself with. He is forced to flee to gentile territory where he runs into more trouble. In ch 22 as he returns to Israeli territory, he is joined firstly by his family and then by a number of men who seem to all be in trouble. Not wanting to expose his elderly parents, he takes them to Moab which is once again outside of Israel, before returning to Adullam which is near Bethlehem.

During this time, we see he is still being led by the Lord through the prophet Gad first and later Abiathar., son of Ahimelech who had been murdered. He seems to have been living like a sort of Robin Hood, continually on the run from Saul yet caring for a body of people.

On the other hand, Saul is behaving more and more irrationally. Firstly, when he hears the whereabouts of David, he tries to gain the loyalty of his soldiers by promising them all sorts of things (vv 7 ff). Sounds a bit like SA politics. Then comes a fly in the ointment in the form of a fellow called Doeg who is an Edomite. We ran into him before, but he now again appears to support Saul. Doeg casts doubts on the prophet Ahimelech and Saul takes the bit between his teeth after this innocent prophet. Despite his innocence and a good, logical answer to Saul, he decides to punish the whole colony of priests at Nob and when his own men won’t do it gives the instruction to kill all these people and their families and livestock to Doeg who is a foreigner.

Saul is descending further and further into the irrational state of madness while David is slowly rising. The chapter ends with the promise of David to Abiathar the priest that he will protect him and he will be safe with him..

Now what is Jesus saying to me from this section?

Firstly, we see how the Lord, through His providence, is still preparing the way for David to become king. The narrow path he is being called to follow has many difficulties and twists, but God is busy all the time preparing this man for his ultimate role. We can expect the same, remember Jesus’ words, “in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart in Me you will have peace”. We should never fear the tribulation though but rather, in Paul’s words in Romans 5:3, rejoice in our tribulations, because they are a sign that God is busy with a process in each one of us which will lead us to glory, where we will have the ultimate satisfaction.

Secondly, we see here again the faint picture of Jesus’ the greater king being reflected by David as he gathers the outcasts of society and takes care of them.

Although it is not specifically mentioned in this passage, I can also see the hand of Satan as Saul moves further away from the Lord and even from his people, reaching a lowest point as he annihilates a whole town of priests. God will still be the ultimate victor, but we are all to be aware that there is this battle going on. Remember Jesus’ words in His prayer “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the Evil one”.

To God be all the glory as we look forward to meeting again next week.

From the song “Above All”: Like a rose trampled on the ground, you took the fall and thought of me above all.

”The enigma of Christian faith – a God who is so mighty, so wise, so all powerful – who spoke a creation into being so large it is immeasurable – yet taking on the form of man and coming to live among his creatures – experiencing the limitations of rejection, pain and loneliness of life here on Earth. And then actually dying and taking the punishment on himself which each person deserves – placing love for my creatures above all. Now as ever before I invite you and everyone who wishes into an intimate relationship of love – more intimate than the greatest loves of the Earth. I invite you – ‘Come onto me all who are heavy laden and all those who are full of joy and I will give you rest – rest in an intimate relationship with me'”.

We move now into chapter 21 of 1 Samuel, which describes a period where David is exiled and persecuted, which continues to 26:25. This chapter pictures David as desperate and alone, as he flees from Saul’s wrath. As I read it, it raised a few questions in my mind.

Despite the desperateness of his situation, is this not the same man who, as a boy, had faced Goliath on the basis of trusting in a God who had always rescued him from the fiercest wild animals?(1 Samuel 17:37) About whom now is written: vs 12; David took these words to heart and was very much afraid.

This spoke to me of the danger of ever feeling so secure in your faith that you think you will never be tempted and fall. Our faith depends on our growing in our relationship with God continually. Yes, and He will test us in many ways, but His purpose is not to get us to fall but to strengthen our faith.

The picture of the loneliness of David and the desperate situation he was in is perhaps a small foretaste of the greater David, King Jesus, who was sought and persecuted from the beginning of His life.

What else should be kept in mind is that there is more than just a jealousy and hate being reflected here. It is also a reflection of the great Spiritual battle which was going on in the background as Satan sought to derail God’s plans. When we come to Jesus’ life, we see from the very beginning how Satan attempted to derail God’s plan, with the actions of Herod for example, as he sought to kill the “future King of Israel”, by killing all the little boys of a certain age. (Matthew 3:16 ff)

It is a timely warning to all of us not to ever under-estimate the spiritual battle that is going on for each one of our souls. Jesus has won the victory, but the battle still rages and we need to be cognizant of it. cf Ephesians 6:10 ff

It is hard to reconcile the young lad who took on Goliath with the frightened man escaping into a Philistine king’s hands and then having to resort to appearing mad to survive. Yet in all this we must believe that God was there through His grace, continuing to prepare David for the huge task that lay ahead. It is comforting to know that this fearful, appearing mad man would eventually be called by God as a “Man after my own heart”. We can never fall too far that it stops God, through His grace from loving us completely.

We will come back to this but just a mention that this time of exile was a period when David was prolifically producing many of the beautiful psalms which we love. Experiencing all the emotions of rejection and fear he was able to write the psalms that give us so much comfort.

So let us take heart as we read about this favourite son and his struggles as we go into a new year, knowing that God equally has a plan for each one of us and though we will face difficulties along the way, He will be there, He is there through His Spirit guiding and supporting us all the way. Bless you all till next week.

”You’re my friend and you are my brother, only You can satisfy”.

”Maybe you have not really considered the concept of Me being a friend to you as that word is not used much in my bible. Yet the whole concept of friendship lies behind my relationships with you and every other brother in Me. There are few human friendships which stand the true test of time and challenge – yet there are many who come close – at the best each of these is merely a small foretaste of the friendship which awaits you in me, when you enter into my fathers glory. Just know that although My friendship may be clandestine yet as you consider your life and how My Grace has change that, you will have some small inkling of what My true friendship is to you. Meditate on that and enjoy the realization of My total commitment to you.”

Turning to 1 Samuel ch 20 we come to the most beautiful revelation of true friendship. Recently there has been an attempt to hijack this chapter to suggest a sexual relationship. There is, however no suggestion of that at all. Here is a quote from a Christian author, “Like the sacramental use of water, bread and wine, friendship takes what is a common and human experience and turns it into something holy”

David would probably not have survived to become king if it wasn’t for Jonathan’s friendship. All the more surprising since Jonathan was actually the heir to the throne cf v 31., but was actually supporting David to take that position.

So let us look at various aspects of this great friendship:

Self sacrifice. Jonathan was prepared to risk his life for David and as we have seen before how he had relinquished his claim to the throne for David.

Love : v17. This showed a strong bond between them.

Kindness: v 15. Kindness lies beneath every aspect of building a strong friendship.

Faithfulness. We cannot see the completion of Jonathan’s faithfulness in this chapter alone, but he remained faithful to David till his death.

Companionship: Lying behind the whole structure of this story we see the strong bond of companionship between them.

God’s hand in friendship: Both David and Jonathan recognize that their bond of friendship has been given them by God Himself cf eg v 42.

Now these and other attributes of friendship don’t arise overnight. They are built up over time. Companionship comes from spending time together and from that grow the other attributes of real friendship.

As I read this chapter a warm sense of belonging came over me as I recognized shades of Jesus’ friendship with each one of us portrayed here. We often speak of having a relationship with God through Jesus, but what we really have , which is portrayed here so well is a true friendship, which the word “relationship” perhaps doesn’t do complete justice. This friendship is never really given a name in the New Testament but lies behind the whole concept of Jesus’ mission to save us.

What a friend we have in Jesus! Read the chapter again and meditate on it, while realizing that this is only a faint picture of the friendship we can and should have with Jesus. May I add that friendship comes from both sides and we cannot expect to have a deep experience of friendship if we don’t spend time with our friend Jesus, getting to know Him well and responding to His love towards us. He is ready to speak to you mainly through His word, but in other ways as well, at all times. Listen to Him, and speak to Him as well. Speak to Him about everything that matters in your life.

May He bless each one of you as you develop a deeper friendship with the Greatest Friend you could ever have.

“Oh love that will not let me go.”

”Love, that overused, over rated word which is bandied about in the world, yet in the context of My relationship with you and the world, is the most useful word which describes My commitment to you all and what I desire should be your response to Me. Emotions are often confused with real love, emotions come and go and can be extremely powerful in driving us to action – yet are unreliable and subject to change for many reasons. My love is not devoid of emotion but is nevertheless fixed in the attitude I have towards you all and the way I act in all circumstances. That love is the binding force which took Me to the cross and is My invitation to you in this coming year to respond by loving me – yes My desire is still that you love Me with all your soul, body, mind and strength and I am working towards getting you there. Unfortunately there will be pain as I prune away the branches in your life that bear no fruit.

As we get to 1 Samuel 19, we see the saga continue to unfold as God prepares David to be the future king of Israel. Saul’s importance is rapidly becoming diminished. Standing back and looking at the bigger picture of what is described in this chapter I saw so beautifully how God works with all of us to bring us ultimately to glory. Of course, the details vary with each individual, yet the process is the same, as described for instance in the first vv of Roman’s ch 5.

Behind these events one can see another dimension, which we often lose sight of. The powerful spiritual battle, which is raging, often unseen behind David’s and our lives, but which manifests in various ways.

What is important is that the forces of evil which seem to be the driving force behind Saul’s actions, are nevertheless completely under God’s control. We see this so well in the last vv of this chapter as Saul sends men to capture David and eventually tries to go himself when they are unsuccessful. What precisely the prophets were doing as they prophesied is not clear, probably a sort of praise session, and as soon as the antagonists join them, they find themselves, against their will, drawn into the same activity.

And so David survives. Even within Saul’s own family David has two strong allies, Jonathan and Michal, whom God has obviousy arranged they be there so that they could support David during all the vicissitudes he was experiencing.

All the time, God was doing what He describes in Romans 5. Producing perseverance, character and hope. In this way Dvid was a much stronger person after all these experiences, as unpleasant as they must often have been.

This passage was a strong back up to my sermon on Sunday and a further encouragement for the coming year. May you all experience God’s firm and loving hand on yourselves and your loved ones during this coming year.