PERSONAL JOURNAL:
SIN ( 1 Samuel 19:1-2 ): Although I usually am good about this, I do know I have faltered at times. Jonathan interceded on David’s behalf to his father the king, Saul. Saul was ready to kill David, yet Jonathan interceded on his behalf to convince Saul, at least for the moment, that David did nothing to Saul deserving of death. There are times in my life where I have failed to intercede on behalf of another when I knew what was coming for them was wrong. It was rare for me to fail to intercede, but I know I have done it. Please forgive me for this, Father. Help me to be better at not only listening to the Spirit, but also following through with what the Spirit wants me to do in those moments.
PROMISE ( 1 Samuel 19:6,23 ): In these two verses, I see both a promise being made and a promise coming to fruition. After Jonathan did some convincing, Saul made a promise in Your name, Father. This promise was obviously sanctioned by You as well as carried out by You as reflected in verse 23. The promise was that David would not be killed, yet Saul was on a rampage shortly after this to attempt to kill David multiple times. As Your plan was coming to fruition to fulfill this promise, there were many attempts at David’s life that all failed. Eventually, Your Spirit even comes upon Saul which was the ultimate fulfillment of this promise as David would now be saved from Saul’s attempted murders.
ATTITUDE ( 1 Samuel 19:4-5 ): Jonathan did such an amazing things by interceding on David’s behalf to his father Saul, the king of Israel. Saul was plagued by jealousy, anger, and rage. Jonathan knew this, but also knew that Saul was still a believer in You even though Your positive Spirit was no longer with him. Jonathan’s attitude is one that I need to work more on. An attitude of no fear when it comes to interceding on the behalf of others. Although unlikely, the outcome of this intercession could have been that Saul’s rage was taken out on both Jonathan and David, which I’m sure Jonathan knew. Instead, the outcome was a temporary relief from the murderous plots that Saul would try to inflict on David. Help me to embrace this attitude of no fear towards spiritual interceding, Father.
COMMAND ( 1 Samuel 19:20-23 ): Your command for David’s anointing and protection are being shown here. He WILL one day become king of Israel, because You have commanded it to be so. In these verses, You have taken several measures to ensure David does not reap a premature death to Your plans and Your commands. Samuel may have been used as a short-term vessel to help these commands be followed, it was Your Spirit being placed upon all these men that have kept Your commands.
EXAMPLE ( 1 Samuel 19:1-5 ): Once again I am brought back to Jonathan interceding on behalf of David to speak to his father, Saul, about his rage and anger towards David. Jonathan showed no fear in this moment, but also reflected Your love towards David when speaking to his father, Saul. I need to work on being better at both interpreting and reflecting Your love towards others in my life. I need to be better at following Jonathan’s example here so that I can intercede on behalf of others to ensure Your love is the center of attention and topic of discussion, not the worlds or our flesh. Help me to be better at this, Father.
*DAILY NOTE: Such a great quiet time today. Although Saul is overcome by rage towards David due to Your Spirit being in David, now, and not in Saul, You are still glorified throughout. Your plans are still the ones winning the battle as expected and not that of Saul. David is protected throughout because You have placed the right pieces in his life to ensure that Your plan continues to come to fruition. Thank You, Father, for today’s quiet time and the great examples, wisdom, and convictions laid on my heart.
EXPAND TO READ: GENERAL NOTE FOR MY QUIET TIMES
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