In this story, we find the Amalakites have attacked David's city of Zigzag and taken his wives captive. I love the part where David "encouraged himself in the Lord." (1 Sam. 30:5)
Things may seem hopelessly discouraging, but if we encourage ourselves in the Lord, God can yet overturn these hopeless circumstances for His glory. So David went after the Amalakites, and with God's blessing, he recovered all! Not some, not part, ALL!
However, today's reading had a very sad part to it as well, as we read of Saul and especially Jonathan's death. We know that Saul has to die, not only has he disobeyed God, but he has turned to consulting "evil spirits" for counsel. But Jonathan.... Jonathan who has stood by David, who has willingly done the right... why does he have to die? Couldn't God have preserved his life?
God allowed Jonathan to fall, but he is not forgotten for his name is treasured in heaven. This brings tears to my eyes:
"Jonathan, by birth heir to the throne, yet knowing himself set aside by the divine decree; to his rival the most tender and faithful of friends, shielding David’s life at the peril of his own; steadfast at his father’s side through the dark days of his declining power, and at his side falling at the last—the name of Jonathan's treasured in heaven, and it stands on earth a witness to the existence and the power of unselfish love." Education, p. 157May God help us to have this kind of unselfish love for others, to prefer others before ourselves, and to be faithful to the end.
Tomorrow's Reading: 2 Sam. 1-2 and Psalm 50
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