8 As for you, SHOW KINDNESS TO YOUR SERVANT, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord. 1 Samuel 20
Many people in this world say that there is no stronger bond than family e.g. ‘Blood is thicker than water’. (According to ‘Bible Tools’ this saying originated in the Church of England because they thought that blood ties were stronger than water, representing the Holy Spirit and could pull people away from the truth of God.) But this wasn’t the case between David and Saul’s son, Jonathan.
3 But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favour in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” 1 Samuel 20
David feared for his life and petitioned Jonathan to be kind to him because of their covenant together before the Lord. Jonathan put his friendship and love for David ahead of his own future as Saul’s heir and future king of Israel. Their friendship meant so much to Jonathan that he was willing to sacrifice his role as the future king, no small thing and Saul tried to kill him because of it. 1 Samuel 20:33
26 “Anyone who wants to be my follower MUST LOVE ME FAR MORE than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple. 27 And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me. Luke 14 The Living Bible, TLB
Jesus warned us that there could be a high cost to following Him, including estrangement from family in many cultures, especially in the Muslim world. He also emphasised that His disciples might be called to give up everything here in order to follow His call on their lives. I believe that there’s a radical generation, soon to be revealed on the earth, we could say a, ‘Generation of Jonathans’, who will be so in love with the Lord that they’re willing to sacrifice everything here for Him and His Kingdom. Lives laid down for the rightful King to sit upon His throne. We also have choices to make, how much we are willing to sacrifice for the Lord. Saul did all in his power to prevent David from sitting upon the throne, but nothing he did could stop God’s ruler from taking control. The Sauls of this time are heading for a similar destiny as the ancient King of Israel.
30 No one, regardless of how shrewd or well-advised he is, can stand against the Lord. Proverbs 21, TLB
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.