QT 12/28/2022 1 Sam 20:12-15, We need to wash ourselves in the word

1 Samuel 20:12–15 (ESV) —

12 And Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? 13 But should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the Lord be with you, as he has been with my father. 14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; 15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

 

NOTE: I am struck by Jonathan's words to David in verse 13, "May the Lord be with you, as he has been with my father." Despite all the Saul had done in abandoning God, from Jonathan's perspective, the Lord had not abandoned his father. He was not saying that his Father's kingdom would remain with him, but rather than God had continued to be loyal even where his Father had not. There will be some instances in the years ahead where Saul will break down in tears at David's loyalty to him (and God's kindness to him) when David could have killed him (Saul) but refused to raise a hand against God's anointed. Saul will admit David was more righteousness than he. But in this passage, from Jonathan's perspective, God was blessing Saul. So what was Saul's problem? It was a battle of the mind that Saul had allowed the enemy to plant the seeds of doubt of God's goodness, and Saul kept watering it.

 

We all fight battles of the mind. We all have wrong thoughts in our mind that we "water" and "feed." The key is to cleanse those thoughts out of our mind on a daily basis and only the word of God can do that.

 

Romans 12:2 (ESV) — 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Titus 3:5 (ESV) — 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Colossians 3:10 (ESV) — 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) — 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

Until this becomes a regular habit in our life, we will won't see the victory we so desperately desire.

 

PONDER:

1. Is it time to start pursuing God and not a religion?
2. Religion is activities. Faith is a daily relationship in the word of God and in prayer -- where am I?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want to continue to wash myself in your word on a daily basis. I wish to see the Holy Spirit recreate my character into a person who truly honors you in their life and thoughts.