1 Chronicles 20 - More Bullies

Seems I get to talk about big bullies, again, today. 

There was man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.  He was descended from the giants.  Just a little intimidating!  David's brother, Jonathan, struck him down when he taunted Israel.

I am only 5'1" and shrinking... Years ago, I had this boss who was an ex-pro-football player.  He was quite intimidating to many, especially to many of the youth at the correctional facility we worked at.  I was told that his stature was quite large.  I always thought he was pretty average.  Others saw him as a larger than life football player.  I never saw him that way (for one thing - I'm not into football).  I always saw him as pretty average.  I remember talking to him about his over-use of assertiveness (he was my boss - but he was also a bully) when dealing with the teenage boys we were suppose to be helping.  He was sitting at his desk.  I was standing in front of it, looking down at him.  He didn't seem so large to me.  His bullishness didn't work for too much longer.  He lost his job not long after that, for excessive use of force with one of the teens.  Bullies really don't win.  They may appear to have the upperhand for awhile.  But, they are really smaller in stature than one would think and they normally lose in the end.

May God help us always to remember that it is not size that matters, but what is right in His eyes.  May God help those who resort to bullying live in peace with their neighbors.

1 Samuel 20 - David and Jonathan's Love

I hope that yesterday's posting didn't confuse anyone. Seems, I got things a little out of order. Hopefully, I am back on track today.

Jonathan was a bit confused, it seems, too. Because of his love for David, at first he could not fathom the possibility that his father, Saul, would want David killed. But, he does. Saul wants David dead so that the kingdom will be inherited by his own son, Jonathan. But, then he tries to kill his own son by throwing a spear at him. He misses - thanks be to God. But, Jonathan's eyes are opened. He sees that his father's lust for power has driven him a bit bonkers.

Can you imagine a love, a faithfulness as great as Jonathan's? He does not care about ruling over kingdoms. He cares about his relationship with David. He puts the first thing first. David, in return, loves this son of the man who wants him dead.

Jonathan risks a lot in protecting David. What, I wonder, would we do to protect those whom we love from being persecuted at the hands of others?

1 Samuel 14 - Rash Vows

Most of us have made them - vows in haste - vows made without thinking. But, what was Saul thinking? He declares a fast for this multitude of men and threatens them with a curse if they break it! Maybe, the new found authority and power he had went to his head as he didn't bother to think that somone among these people would break it without thinking.

The LORD's hand is with Jonathan as he overthrows the band of Philistines. Yet, Jonathan is condemned by his own father's rash vow. Thanks be to God - the people interceded for Jonathan and "ransomed" him so that he was allowed to live. We too have been condemned by the rash words of our lips. Yet, there is one who intercedes for us. Thanks be to God - for Jesus the Christ who on the cross ransomed himself for us; who died that we might live.