Apr 13 (Daily reading: 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalms 11, 59) There must have been days when David wished he had never met Saul, but the silver lining during that time was Jonathan. “Jonathan committed himself to David, and Jonathan loved him as himself” (18:1). Without Saul there would have been no friendship with Jonathan. Life is often like that: by God’s grace, beauty can be found even when the world throws ugliness at us!
I heard a French pastor speak on the left and right hand of God. Saul was one element in God’s left hand, to prepare David for the kingship through difficulty and trial. Jonathan was evidence of God’s right hand, preparing David by encouragement. Jonathan’s friendship demonstrated faithfulness, loyalty, and mercy, all of which God used to strengthen David. There is always balance in God’s work in our lives. He uses the positive and the negative to mold us into the person He wants us to be.
During the time when David’s life was threatened by Saul, David wrote Psalm 59. David prayed, “Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me” (v. 1, NIV). Even while praying, he found the confidence to write: “You are my strength, I watch for you; I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely” (vv. 9-10, 17 combined).
God used “His right and left hands” to sustain David even as He tested him, and He will do the same for you. Do you believe that? The powerful God of David’s day is our God today! I heard once, “A problem is a platform on which God will build His blessing!”
– Al Gary
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