To hear this Morning Devotion, please click The priceless value of loyalty
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I find it interesting how God prepared my heart last night for the Morning Devotion I would prepare today.
Our Monday night Bible study group had postponed our study time for a week in order to have a fellowship meal with some relaxing icebreaker questions and activities. One of the questions was, “Why was your favorite pet your favorite pet?”
Nearly every answer could be traced to the word “loyalty.”
Each pet named as favorite had displayed loyalty in a way that left a deep impression.
And then I read this morning in I Samuel 23 of how David was targeted for murder by the jealous King Saul and his army.
David had been loyal to King Saul, but the jealous, prideful, insecure king had responded with hatred and a desire to destroy the one anointed by God to be the king’s successor.
It was a very difficult time for David. He had been run off from Saul’s palace earlier because of murder attempts on his life. He then was run off by a group of Philistines with whom he had been staying.
He then was advised by a preacher to leave the town of Keilah because its people would turn him over to Saul even though David and his fighting men rescued the city from a Philistine army.
Betrayal followed David wherever he went, it seemed.
Would this anointed, future ruler of Israel ever find ANYBODY who would be loyal to him?
Thankfully, the answer was yes.
David actually was blessed by a relationship with the poster child for loyalty.
His name was Jonathan.
And he was the king’s son.
In my mind, Jonathan is the epitome of loyalty. If I ever write a book on the topic of loyalty, Jonathan’s life will be the foundation for the principles shared.
In this chapter, starting in verse 15, we read of how Saul is craving the death of David. Yet, Jonathan goes to David to infuse hope into his life.
“And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God” (verse 16).
What Jonathan did was the epitome of loyalty.
Jonathan knew that his father had even tried to kill him when he spoke up previously in David’s behalf.
But God’s voice told him to seek out David and encourage him, no matter the obstacles.
And so Jonathan did.
Not only did he display deep loyalty to David, but Jonathan also displayed a rock-solid understanding of where the source of lasting power is found.
He helped David to find strength in God.
Wow. Jonathan was loyal to God and loyal to David.
Who among us does not want another Jonathan in our lives? Someone willing to come to us when were discouraged or under attack, even at the risk of hassles for himself or herself?
I pray that God raise up a Jonathan in your life if there isn’t one now. Your zeal for serving God in difficult circumstances will be refreshed as He sends one to help you to find strength in God.
I also pray that you’ll listen to God’s voice when He calls you to be a Jonathan. Perhaps He is prompting you now to go to somebody who is under attack directly or indirectly.
Jonathan’s efforts were huge in helping David through some painful, isolated times in his life.
Your efforts can do the same if you’ll ask God to use you where He and somebody else needs you.
Your display of loyalty will never be forgotten, either by the person you help or by the God who sent you.
As always, I love you
Martin
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