It's important to understand that Bible narratives are just that--written accounts of other's lives. We cannot draw direct commands from their examples, but we can certainly learn principles and see God more clearly.
Jonathon, Saul's son, keeps coming to the forefront in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Unlike his father, he lives by faith, trusting God with the outcome. One day Jonathon took his armor bearer to scout out the Philistine (enemy) garrison. Traveling between two crags, Jonathon said, "Come and let us cross over tot he garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few." They pushed forward and took out 20 men, creating an uproar and battle that continued and spread.
Watching that same courage and faith work in David's life a short time later (as he killed Goliath), "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David...." (1 Samuel 18:1). One young man would become the father of kings and the line of Christ; the other would serve his capricious father, dying an early death on the battlefield. Both were men of valor, courage, faith, action, and promise.
We, American Christians, especially American Christian parents, often get distracted by "potential." We tend to get caught up in our children's education, opportunities, challenges, stimulation and growth to the detriment of character. We are so compelled to create children in our own image (or the image we always wanted), that we fail to consider God's purpose, direction, and plan. At times our children complained about boredom with the public school system. "Being a mom isn't so different," I would counter, "there's nothing challenging about cleaning toilets and doing laundry." What if it's not about "what I do" or "how much I do" but "how I do it?"
As I read about Jonathon, I could see great potential. Surely he would have made a great king: one who loved others well, willingly risked his life, and pursued God's revealed will despite the cost. If nothing else, he and David would have made an incredible Dream Team for Israel! The two of them, side by side, could have ruled righteously and held one another accountable. But that was not God's plan. Jonathon lived in the shadow of a domineering, violent, angry father, united by a covenant to David who was destined to take the crown. We know little of Jonathon's family, pursuits, dreams, or victories.
What we do know is that Jonathon was humble. Faithful. Loving. Trustworthy. Courageous. Firm. Loyal. Strong. Swift. Generous. Does that not describe our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ? He served (and continues to serve) the least deserving; He gave His life in the line of duty; He loves with His whole being.
I believe that Jonathon is an example to each of us that life is not about the glitz, the glam, the bling, the wow, or pow. His audience was not the watching world, his tyrannical father, faithful armor bearer, or kindred spirit. His one, only, true audience was His Creator-Father-King, the same One we serve in our most mundane, difficult, painful, unseen, quiet moments. As we give Him the weight, the glory, the honor due His name, He is made much of, and we find great satisfaction, contentment and rest.
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.
How long will you attack a man?
You shall be slain, all of you,
Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. Selah
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
Men of high degree are a lie;
If they are weighed on the scales,
They are altogether lighter than vapor.
Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them.
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;
For You render to each one according to his work. (Psalm 62)
Jonathon, Saul's son, keeps coming to the forefront in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Unlike his father, he lives by faith, trusting God with the outcome. One day Jonathon took his armor bearer to scout out the Philistine (enemy) garrison. Traveling between two crags, Jonathon said, "Come and let us cross over tot he garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few." They pushed forward and took out 20 men, creating an uproar and battle that continued and spread.
Watching that same courage and faith work in David's life a short time later (as he killed Goliath), "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David...." (1 Samuel 18:1). One young man would become the father of kings and the line of Christ; the other would serve his capricious father, dying an early death on the battlefield. Both were men of valor, courage, faith, action, and promise.
We, American Christians, especially American Christian parents, often get distracted by "potential." We tend to get caught up in our children's education, opportunities, challenges, stimulation and growth to the detriment of character. We are so compelled to create children in our own image (or the image we always wanted), that we fail to consider God's purpose, direction, and plan. At times our children complained about boredom with the public school system. "Being a mom isn't so different," I would counter, "there's nothing challenging about cleaning toilets and doing laundry." What if it's not about "what I do" or "how much I do" but "how I do it?"
As I read about Jonathon, I could see great potential. Surely he would have made a great king: one who loved others well, willingly risked his life, and pursued God's revealed will despite the cost. If nothing else, he and David would have made an incredible Dream Team for Israel! The two of them, side by side, could have ruled righteously and held one another accountable. But that was not God's plan. Jonathon lived in the shadow of a domineering, violent, angry father, united by a covenant to David who was destined to take the crown. We know little of Jonathon's family, pursuits, dreams, or victories.
What we do know is that Jonathon was humble. Faithful. Loving. Trustworthy. Courageous. Firm. Loyal. Strong. Swift. Generous. Does that not describe our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ? He served (and continues to serve) the least deserving; He gave His life in the line of duty; He loves with His whole being.
I believe that Jonathon is an example to each of us that life is not about the glitz, the glam, the bling, the wow, or pow. His audience was not the watching world, his tyrannical father, faithful armor bearer, or kindred spirit. His one, only, true audience was His Creator-Father-King, the same One we serve in our most mundane, difficult, painful, unseen, quiet moments. As we give Him the weight, the glory, the honor due His name, He is made much of, and we find great satisfaction, contentment and rest.
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.
How long will you attack a man?
You shall be slain, all of you,
Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. Selah
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
Men of high degree are a lie;
If they are weighed on the scales,
They are altogether lighter than vapor.
Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them.
God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;
For You render to each one according to his work. (Psalm 62)
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