Surprised by love

Saul and David finished their conversation. After that, Saul’s son Jonathan was deeply attracted to David and came to love him as much as he loved himself. Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him go back home. Jonathan swore eternal friendship with David because of his deep affection for him. (verses 1-3)

Read 1 Samuel 17:50-18:4

‘What’s your fax number?’ she asked. I had told her I wanted to search for job possibilities and didn’t know how to begin. Having no Internet connection at her home, she rang to tell me she was just leaving to travel thirty kilometres to a nearby town to ‘surf the net’ for me and fax the results. Her love in action amazed me.

Jonathan’s love is much more surprising. Unannounced David arrives at the palace, a hero, favoured by Saul. He is accepted as a son, a potential rival to Jonathan. Jonathan gives David his clothes and even his sword. This true son gives up his position of honour ‘because of his deep affection for him’.

Surprising and as hard to believe as that is, it’s the same kind of love God has for you. He gave up his all for you, his own sonship, because he loves you as himself. You are a son or daughter of the King!

Jesus, Son of God, you love me so much you gave up your life for me. I praise you for this amazing love. Today let me live as a child of the King. Amen.

by Eunice Freiberg in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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