November 09, 2020

2 Samuel 1:11-12 (KJV)
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
2 Samuel 1:17 (KJV)
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
Today I want to continue looking at Gods power thought the life of David. The Power to Love.
Saul chased David for years trying to kill him. By God’s grace he was unsuccessful. On more than one occasion David had the opportunity to kill King Saul himself. Each time he refused to do so. David must have thought he would eventually die under the hand of King Saul.
As we enter this story, David is living in Ziglag a territory of the Philistines. He fled there to escape the reach of King Saul leaving his homeland behind. The Philistines have attacked Israel and prevailed. During the battle King Saul was sorely injured and in the course of events. An Amalekite went to David to share the news. David’s reaction was not what the Amalekite anticipated.
David and his men were overcome with grief for Saul and Israel. This passage tells us David and his men mourned, wept, and fasted. No sincere person would do this for someone they hated. The reason they grieved is because David loved Saul and Jonathan. How could David love someone who had done him such harm? This scenario sets up this question, how could God love us after all the harm we have done to Him? Every sin we commit is against God. I think of the Apostle Paul who persecuted Christians, yet God loved him.
David’s life a picture of Christ. He loved someone who did not love him back. In doing this he showed a picture of Gods power to love. Jesus died on the cross for so many that would never love Him back. Everyone that ever tried to harm or hurt him he only loved in response. This kind of love is what moves people. Jesus’s love made a massive impact on the world. His love can still make an impact on the world through us. We will not impact people with whom we are simply acquaintances with. People know when someone loves them. Love is what makes the difference. There will be evidence in the way we treat others if we love them. May we learn to be the kind of people that demonstrate God’s love through our lives the way He demonstrated His love to us.
Jacob Jarriel