Devotion
Love Defends
Chipo Biti
Jonathan and David had a friendship that was bonded in love. They didn't just see each other as friends, they treated each other as if they were brothers. They were so close with each other the Bible records that they "knit with the soul" which means that they were in one accord. They loved each other like brothers. This friendship continued until Jonathan's tragic death. David was so moved by Jonathan's death, he pledged to take care of anyone who was part of Jonathan's family. When David discovered that Jonathan had a son who was born with a disability, he took him in and treated him like royalty. He remained loyal to the promise that he made.
But Jonathan was just as loyal to David as David was loyal to him. When Saul had grown to resent David, he announced that he was going to kill David. Jonathan did not take this in silence or complacency. He went straight to David and told him what his father was planning to do. Jonathan cared about David so much, he chose to protect him instead of enable his father's murderous schemes.
Jonathan also fought for David. He went to his father and convinced him not to kill David. He pleaded for David's sake and made sure that his father saw the error of his ways. Jonathan brought up the fact that David was the one who saved Israel; it would be wrong for his father to murder him. Saul listened to Jonathan and chose not to kill David.
Friends should be willing to go beyond their personal interests to look out for one another. Jonathan took a great risk by opposing his father's orders and defending David. But he counted the risk to be worth it because of his friendship with David.
Prayer
Follow the example of Jonathan and David and love each other as if you are family. Look out for your friends and fight for them when they need to be defended. Go beyond your selfish interests and choose to be there for them. Let this be done out of love and selflessness.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
