4 Minute Read + Scripture readings

Today’s Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 23
1 Corinthians 4
Ezekiel 2
Psalms 38

Today’s Bible Verse(s):

1 Samuel 23:16–17 (CSB): “Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.’”

Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):

While Jonathan’s comment to David was brief, it was incredibly powerful! Much more powerful than we may realize.

In these two verses, we observe that the king’s son, Jonathan, did something completely unexpected. He was the rightful heir to the throne. Everyone expected that he would be the next king. Yet, Jonathan encouraged the shepherd boy, David. Jonathan assured David that he (David) would one day be king and he (Jonathan) would gladly serve as second-in-command.

Friends, that powerful! I don’t know too many people like that.

How many people do you know who will forgo blessings for themselves while gladly encouraging someone else and celebrating what God is doing in their life? Are you like that?

It seems that jealousy is a major sin among us. We can’t imagine celebrating someone else’s blessings, especially if we aren’t experiencing them.

If someone else snags an incredible job while you despise your own place of employment, can you celebrate their good fortune? If someone else goes on a dream vacation while you can only afford a staycation, can you genuinely celebrate their experience? Not many people can.

Yet, if David didn’t have a very secure and selfless Jonathan to encourage him and celebrate what God was going to do in his life, he may not have eventually become king. He may have grown discouraged in the perpetual frustration and fear of running from Saul and being marginalized by everyone, including his own brothers. Jonathan’s words may have been the only thing that kept David going … but it was enough.

Who can you encourage today? What in their life can you celebrate? Whose to say that your words might be used by Almighty God to keep their chin up so that God can do something special in their life in the future.

Are you secure and selfless enough to be like Jonathan? Very few can. Be the one!

* * * * * * * * * *

Lord Jesus, I realize all too often that I am much for self-centered than I would like to admit. Help me to be a “Jonathan” to someone today. Help me to be secure in You enough so that I can encourage them and celebrate what You are doing in their life. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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