Sticking up for Friends
A devotional for people who love honey
Welcome Friend.
In 1 Samuel 14 there is a story about Jonathan that has that caught my attention this morning.
Jonathan’s father, King Saul had sent out an order that no one was allowed to eat anything until the army had vanquished Saul’s enemies. But Jonathan hadn’t been there to hear the order. So when he came across honey in the woods, he dipped his staff in the honey, picked up a glob, and ate some. It brightened his eyes and gave him new energy to get back to work.
Isn’t it an interesting story? Saul dished out dubious orders, some of which were ill advised, capricious, and really didn’t even make much sense. And the army following Saul found themselves exhausted and hungry - and looking at longingly at honey that would revive them.
28 Then one of the soldiers told him (Jonathan), “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”
And here’s how Jonathan replies:
29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”
They end up going through a lengthy discernment process where Jonathan is found out to have committed a sin - the sin of eating honey when the King had sworn everyone to an oath. Long story short, Jonathan was condemned to die for this “sin” but the people stepped in:
45 But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
Lord give us courage on those days when kings and leaders threaten the lives of those they are called to serve. Protect Your people from poor decisions, less-than-wise policies, and ill advised proclamations. And instead of the fear, destabilization, and exhaustion that wants to envelop us, help us to walk in the courage that comes from knowing our Lord is good and gracious. Jesus, we declare today that we have no other gods. We proclaim together that Jesus is Lord. There is no other Lord.
When we are scared, help us to hold fast to the promise in Proverbs that:
The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
And Lord we know from Luke 4:18 that your son came to “proclaim freedom for the prisoners.”
Isaiah 61:1 tells us that the anointed one was sent to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
We know that when the apostles were put in prison in Acts 5:19. “During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.”
Lord we also proclaim freedom for prisoners. We know you open prison doors and set prisoners free. Do it again Lord! Do it again in our generation. Set your children free from unjust oaths and destructive policies that threaten their lives. Lord, set the oppressed free in your great power. Move on the behalf of your people when they are ruled by Kings who lack wisdom. And thank you for the brave people who stood up to King Saul and saved Jonathan’s life. Thank you for their boldness and courage. Bless them and keep them. Help us to bravely be there for our neighbors.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Dear one, I see you. I care about you. And I know Jesus is with you.
Carmen
I leave you with this blessing:
I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees the goodness and grace in you, and walks proudly with you.