Friendships that allow for emotions that are raw and real can be rare, especially when those feelings express opposing perspectives. David and Jonathan have that rare kind of relationship that makes room for the kind of emotional honesty that we see in Jesus in Gethsemane and from the cross. Do we feel permission to have this kind of intimacy with God, and hopefully with others as well?

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For Reflection:

One of the first things that God ever said about humanity is that it is not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18).

- Do you feel comfortable identifying and expressing your deeper emotions to yourself? To God?

- Have you ever had the kind of friendship that allowed for the kind of openness and honesty shown by David and Jonathan?

- Is there anything that God might be inviting you to do to strengthen or grow such a relationship?

In this flashback to December 9, 2024, we consider how waiting can be especially challenging when you are waiting for the fulfillment of (what appears to be) a broken promise. God had promised that a descendant of King David would sit on the throne forever, so what had happened? Israel waited for centuries without any such king in sight. Had God forgotten the promise? Today, many might feel similarly forgotten. What are we to do in such times?

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For Reflection:

It is always difficult to wait, especially for something that seems impossible. It can be even harder to wait and trust when it seems that God has already failed to keep a promise.

- Have you ever felt like God had failed to be faithful to you? What happened? Did those feelings ever change, and why?

- Psalms are worship songs. Psalm 89 expresses a significant doubt. But how can the expression of doubt be a part of honoring God? What do you think makes the doubt of Psalm 89 an example of worship?

Saul had tried to impale David with a spear, twice. Afterwards, Saul sent David repeatedly into harm's way, hoping that David might be killed in battle. Saul then resorted to more direct plans to simply assassinate David. Jonathan bravely and lovingly chooses to step in front of his father Saul's animosity to intercede for David.

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For Reflection:

Jesus is the ultimate intercessor (Hebrews 7:25) and we are invited to intercede for others as well.

- Have you ever had the experience of someone else interceding for you with an authority, perhaps with a parent, a teacher, a boss, or even a court? Have you done it for someone else? What happened and why did you or they take the risk and effort to intercede?

- Is there a way that God might be inviting you to be a Jonathan for someone else, or to join Jesus in interceding for others? (cf. 1 Tim 2:1-2, Eph 6:18)

David was successful in all that Saul gave him to do. Rather than gratitude, Saul was jealous, especially as people began to take notice of David's victories. Are we also provoked to envy in our lives? How did David respond to Saul's envy and anger, and what might we learn about how to respond to those who oppose us?

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For Reflection:

"Saul kept a jealous eye on David" but David continued to serve faithfully.

- Have you ever experienced a jealous rivalry with someone close to you? What happened?

- What questions does David's example raise for you? What do you think might have been the reasons he continued to serve Saul faithfully, even if from a distance?

- Jesus said to "love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matt 5:44). How might you pray for such a person in your life today?

Why did Jonathan love David? In contrast to the cowardice and self-centeredness of his father, King Saul, Jonathan saw in David a kindred spirit. They shared a bold courage and faith in God, and that shared love bonded them together. Any shared love will draw people closer together, especially the love of God.

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For Reflection:

A shared love of God draws people together, as it does powerfully for Jonathan and David.

- How has your understanding of love been challenged, changed, and enriched by following Christ?

- Jonathan's love of God and David motivated him to make a profound sacrifice -- he gave up his claim to the throne in favor of David. How has God's love motivated you to make sacrificial choices?

- Is there a way in which God might be inviting you to make a sacrificial choice out of love right now?

Many want to be leaders; few want to be followers. One of the principles of biblical leadership on display in David's life is that being a good leader starts with being a good follower. How can we lead others into a life of following God if we ourselves resist being good followers? David here begins to display his faithfulness to God by being faithful in serving others -- in particular, the problematic King Saul.

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For Reflection:

Not all followers make good leaders, but all godly leaders start by being good followers, just as David shows.

- Who are some of the leaders and influencers that you admire? To what degree do they demonstrate the heart of a servant, and how does that heart show up in what they do (or not)?

- What areas of influence and leadership do you have? (Home, work, school, neighborhood, friendships, family, etc.?) In what areas do you have responsibilities as a follower?

- How might God be inviting you to be a better follower and servant?

In this flashback to March 22, 2023, we see that Jesus was often very secretive about his identity as the Messiah. Even more rarely, such as in this passage, Jesus hints at his identity as not only the Messiah, the son of David, but his identity as the Son of God! Understanding Jesus as both human and divine is more important than we might realize. Because of his divinity, we can know God; because of his humanity, God can know us.

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For Reflection:

- What have you learned about God by looking at the life and teachings of Jesus? How has God been revealed to you through him?

- Through Jesus, God also knows you better, being able to empathize with all our struggles (Heb 4:15). What does it mean to you to know that God knows you in this way?

God doesn't look at us the way the world does. In fact, God often chooses people precisely because the world does not understand or value their most important qualities -- qualities like faithfulness. Before David became king, he was someone who was easily overlooked both by the prophet Samuel and his own father, Jesse. The world treasures outward appearances but God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7).

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For Reflection:

The world treasures outward appearances but God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7)

- Why do you think underdog stories are so appealing to people? Are they simply wish fulfillment for underachievers or is there some truth that they call out in us?

- What are one or two of the top qualities that make you a "high value" person in the world's eyes? What are one of two of the top qualities that might make you a high value in God's eyes? What about in your eyes?

We begin with David's story on what started out as just an ordinary day. David was doing what he was tasked to do on every other day – to tend his father’s sheep. When God enters the picture, ordinary days have a way of becoming extraordinary!

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For Reflection:

David was faithful in ordinary ways, which prepared him for an extraordinary calling from God.

- What might faithfulness look like on an ordinary day for you?

- Do you find it easy or challenging to remain faithful in your everyday responsibilities? What are the biggest spiritual challenges you regularly face?

- If God were to invite you to take a step toward greater faithfulness in the ordinary routines of your life, what change might you consider?

In closing his letter, James reminds us all of the purpose of his letter and the purpose of our lives. Rather than living for ourselves, Jesus invites us to join him in a search and rescue mission. This is a mission that is motivated by truth, grace, and love.

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For Reflection:

Search and rescue is a noble mission, but those who engage in it know that it comes at personal cost and risk to those who move out in love.

- How much thought do you give to this search & rescue mission into which Jesus invites us?

- Why do you think this mission is so difficult to keep in focus?

- Is there anyone that God has put on your heart, someone to whom you might reach out in friendship and concern?