How God comes to you through others
by Faye Schmidt
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So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped (1 Samuel 19:12).
Read 1 Samuel 19:1–18
Our text tells the story of a man with a serious lifestyle problem. Saul was jealous and unable to control his emotions – to the point of intending to kill David … more than once. The more David served and brought benefit to the king, the more the king despised him. Sometimes, the consequences of our actions aren’t logical. We do what we think is right, only to suffer because of it. David needed help.
First, the king’s son, Jonathan, intervened with his father and tried to reason with the murderous king. For a moment, in 1 Samuel 19:6, Saul relented, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.’
Soon, another war called David to fight for his king. David performed so well in battle that Saul returned to his jealousy and tried to kill David (1 Samuel 19:10). So, David’s wife, Michal, intervened, and David escaped.
David was doing the right thing, but he was getting nowhere with the king. He needed help. God stepped in through Jonathan, then Michal and then through his own Spirit. Likewise, God steps in for us in the form of family, friends and others who care about us.
When you need help, who do you go to? Is there someone within your family like Michal, or do you have a friend like Jonathan?
One thing is certain – we all need help in times of need, and we should never forget that there is one who gave his life so that he would be our advocate before God.
Heavenly Father,
I commend to your holy keeping:
all who are far from home and family;
all who are homeless and hungry;
all who suffer pain;
all who are kept awake
by anxiety or suspense.
Give them all such a sense
of your presence with them
as may turn their loneliness into comfort
and their trouble into peace.
Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
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