Do you have a family member who is super irritating right now?

If not, that person is probably you.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in a new chapter, 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect."

And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. — 1 Samuel 19:4-7

We need different types of godly friends—not just good friends, but godly friends who will have our backs and risk something to stand in the gap between. That is what David has in Jonathan. He has an ally, as we discussed in the last chapter. Still, we see he is also willing to advocate for him as a new member of the family, a warrior, and the one through whom the Lord worked great salvation in Israel, underscoring the importance of godly friends.

Jonathan is not oblivious to the situation in his family, and he is not going to sit around passively while this act of aggression and injustice takes place. He knows that his father's sinful progression toward David is ever-increasing. So he decides to step in to temper his father's spirit, advocate for his friend and brother-in-law, and bring peace to the men he cares about. Yet we all know this is hard to achieve in a family if the offended member cannot get beyond a past situation.

As long as I have lived, I have seen that most families have one member who harbors bitterness from past situations. There is usually also one member with emotional or behavioral issues. When these two attributes combine, this person plays the role of the angry, bipolar, grudge-holder. The problem in David's instance is that King Saul retains all the power in the family system, which is oppressive because his authority and decisions trump everyone else. Therefore, Jonathan steps in to play his role: the peacemaker. If you have read ahead, you will know that this is a mere temporary fix and that the next decade of David's life was a living hell running from the bitterness, anger, and aggression of his father-in-law. Nonetheless, David and Jonathan worked to honor God and Saul, his role, and their relationship through it all.

We all have difficult family members. My parents were challenging to love as a believer. But I also had to learn how to love and respect them even when our values did not align and remain faithful to biblical teaching to honor them as far as possible. Today, reflect on how you are doing with this in your family. Consider the person's role that irritates you, and then find a way to maintain peace and godly character as far as possible. We don't get to choose our family, but we are responsible for choosing to act in a God-honoring way.

When enemies pursue you need a godly friend.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in a new chapter, 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect."

And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you." — 1 Samuel 19:1-3

This passage requires little explanation but contains a couple of crucial details. First, it marks the first time King Saul openly expresses his desire to kill David. Until this point, much of his scheming had been conducted in private, evidenced by his decision to give David command, put him in harm's way during battle, propose a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins, and two previous spear attacks. Second, this also marks the first moment Jonathan walks a careful line between his friend and his father. This is a cautious matter for him because advocacy for a perceived enemy could be interpreted as treason.

But this draws attention to an essential point for believers. When enemies attack us, we need good and godly friends to help us through the situation. We cannot do situations like these alone. Jonathan, an ally to David, knows his innocence, is willing to advocate for him, and still has some power of persuasion over his father. While this might be a cautious matter, Jonathan is willing to risk his relationship and reputation for his friend.

You need friends like this—good and godly friends. But some of you are living this life without a single believing friend. Some of you have too many bar, boating, and betting friends but have no believing friends. What are you going to do when an enemy attacks? Who is going to advocate for you? Do you think those friends at the bar will advocate for you? I promise you they will not. They will bail on you, but they will never back you.

Build an infantry of mighty men around you. That's what David does, so he never battles alone, whether the battle is within or without. You will discover in this chapter that David turns to three friends who become instruments of protection for him: Jonathan, Michal, and Samuel. Two of the three happen to be children of King Saul.

#GodlyFriends, #FaithfulSupport, #ProtectionInPeril

1. Who are the godly friends in your life that you can rely on when facing challenges, and how can you actively support them in return?
2. How can you build and nurture a network of faithful allies who will stand with you and advocate for you in difficult times?

Get believing, friends.

Lord, thank You for the godly friends You have placed in my life who support and protect me in times of trouble. Help me to be a faithful ally to others and to build strong, Christ-centered relationships that reflect Your love and grace. Amen.

What A Friend.

Are you being pursued by an enemy?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in a new chapter, 1 Samuel 19. I've titled this chapter "When Enemies Pursue God Will Protect."

And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. — 1 Samuel 19:10

Most assume that David's path to the throne after the defeat of Goliath was easy. It was not. It was well over 15 years from when Samuel anointed him to the time he was finally appointed King of Israel. During this time, he battled with enemies within and without the ranks. Perhaps the most challenging was understanding how to fight with Saul, who was still God's anointed and appointed over the people of Israel.

Many believe leadership is an easy task. It is not. Leadership entails all kinds of battles. It's a firey test of battles fought within and without the ranks of leadership. But there is nothing like the moment when you experience the dual battle of enemies within and enemies without, which is what we will read in this chapter. David will fight battles with the Philistines only to come home and fight battles with his father-in-law.

One truth in this chapter gives hope to those attacked by enemies: if we are faithful to God, he will always provide an escape.

If you feel pursued or attacked by any enemy today, seek refuge in God. Don't take vengeance, battle alone, or take matters into your own hands. Let God fight the battle for you. He's a better warrior. He can see your battle. He knows the tactics of your enemy. He can find a just means of justice and deliverance when you cannot. Let him fight for you, and let him have the victory.

#DivineProtection, #FaithInTheBattle, #GodsDeliverance

1. In what areas of your life do you feel pursued or attacked by challenges or adversaries, and how can you invite God’s protection and guidance into those situations?
2. How can you apply David’s response to Saul’s pursuit in your own leadership or personal challenges, particularly when dealing with conflict or feeling attacked by others?

Let God fight every battle.

Lord, when I feel pursued and under attack, help me to trust in Your protection and seek refuge in Your strength. Guide me to rely on Your wisdom and let You fight my battles, knowing You will provide a way of escape. Amen.

Belong To You.