#DailyDevotion Who Should You Be Loyal To?
August 6th
Read 1 Sam 20:1–23
1Sa 20:12-17 And Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? (13) But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. (14) If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; (15) and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” (16) And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.” (17) And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
Pro 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
No account from the bible shows this more than this one from 1st Samuel. They say that blood is thicker than water. Do you know what that means? That means that you hold your family more dear to you, even if they are unbelievers, than your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. You would rather be wrong with your family then right with the family of God. Of course that is more complicated when your family is also Christian. Never-the-less, we are called to be faithful to the Lord 1st. We should rather lose all even our lives than be unfaithful to the Lord.
Jonathan is an example of someone who fears the Lord more than he desires to please his family. His father wants to kill David. While he doesn’t believe it if it is so, then Jonathan throws his lot with David, the Lord’s other anointed because he knows David is innocent. He places his life and lot in the hands of his friend David, even though he knows that doing so, he seals the fate of his future dynasty to not be the kings of Israel.
Have you ever had to make a choice between family and friends? It can be a tough call at times. If you knew however your family was wrong however, would you stand up for what is right? Is your faith in Christ worth more to you than worldly goods even your life or your soul?
Jesus says, “Luk 9:23-26 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (24) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (25) For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (26) For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” And, Mat 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” Can you trust Jesus to be true to His Word? He is the Friend who will stick closer to you than a brother. Will you reciprocate?
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that you have given up all and brought yourself close to us as our Friend receiving yourself million-fold houses, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends. Grant us such faith in you that we do likewise in our life. Amen