The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 16:6-7 (ESV)
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 119:89-91 (ESV)
89 Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
The Word of God for encouragement:
2 Samuel 9:1-3 (ESV)
1 And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant."
3 And the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet."
2 Samuel 9:6-7 (ESV)
6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered, "Behold, I am your servant."
7 And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always."
My observation:
Kindness is the choice word in today's focal passage. David's expression of love and friendship for Jonathan is a beautiful thing to see. It is a demonstration of what it looks like to love others with the love of the Lord. The friendship of David and Jonathan was born in affliction. It lived even after the death of Jonathan.
David's son, Solomon, wrote this about friendship.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you will perfect in me the grace gift of kindness that is born in love, and is a fruit of the Spirit.
Father God, enable me by the power of the Holy Spirit to love my friends like David loved Jonathan, and was a faithful friend forever. Father, give me an abundance of kindness, and I will give it away. Amen.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
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John 20:30-31 (ESV)
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
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