1 Samuel Chapter 23: Verses 14-16 (NIV-UK)
David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.
While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God.
David was being hounded, day after day and without cause by Saul who he had only ever sought to serve. A whole priestly family had been murdered for assisting David and he felt responsible. God remained with David, yet he must have felt weary and at times distressed. We see that when we read the psalms written around this time. Yet once again we see Jonathan putting his own safety and needs aside to come to David and help him to find strength in God. What a Godly man he was! In spite of living alongside someone who was falling further and further into sin and far from God, Jonathan maintained his own integrity in such difficult circumstances.
We too may be living or working with, or even just coming into regular contact with people who are not interested in following God. They may not have the power to kill us, as Saul had with Jonathan. At this stage in Saul’s life, he was not beyond commanding the death of his own son because of his loyalty to David. Yet nonetheless, people can choose to make life difficult for those who follow the ways of God – especially if we take a stand and refuse to follow the majority. Are we willing to do as Jonathan did in such circumstances? And on the other hand, if like David, we are becoming weary and a bit despondent in the face of criticism and difficulty, we can be sure that God is also with us, and will always make a way, or send someone to help us find strength once more.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for providing strength and encouragement when we need it in difficult times. And thank You for those who are willing to be an instrument in Your hands to help us stand firm. Amen.