Next To You

Next To You By Kirk Hunt

And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.”

1 Samuel 23:17 NKJV

Jonathan, the Crown Prince of Israel, declared he would never be king. Despite his age, position and lineage, Jonathan openly stated that David would be the next king. Jonathan freely declared “I shall be next to you” as good news to his friend and protégé.

Deep down, we all want to sit the “big chair” somewhere in our life and work. Do you know the will of God enough, and have self-control enough, to say, “You, not me.” Are you man or woman enough to be glad for your friend, despite their jump in line?

Deep in the woods, where David hid from a death warrant, Jonathan spoke gladly of David’s coming dynasty. Jonathan would stand, or kneel, next to David’s throne and be glad of the privilege. Only a Godly man or woman can be so pleased to be “passed over” for promotion, even for a friend.

The common wisdom is that Jonathan should have led the bounty hunters to David’s hiding place. He could have executed David himself. Instead he encouraged his friend, the outlaw. Jonathan cheerfully pointed to a time when he would no longer be Crown Prince.

Do you love God’s plan more than the big promotion? Are you willing to push God’s choice to the position that should be yours? Are you glad in your heart?

Think: Do I know my place? Am I willing to be glad, despite not getting the top spot?

Pray: “Lord, help me to know, and be glad of, my place in Your Kingdom.”

 

Copyright © September 2017, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

In The Woods

In the Woods By Kirk Hunt

Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.

1 Samuel 23:16 NKJV

Jonathan, the Crown Prince of Israel snuck out a side door and traveled across the miles. There, in the woods, he found the outlaw the King wanted dead. Knowing his own father wanted this criminal executed; Jonathan embraced his friend and strengthened David’s Godly faith and hope.

Maybe you are the man everyone turns to for strength. Perhaps you are the woman others rely on for courage. No matter your standing or track record, you will eventually need encouragement “in the woods.”

Unjustly a fugitive, and hunted for his very life, David fled alone into the wilderness. At first only castoffs, deadbeats and losers came to him, looking for a handout. Despite his successes in turning those men into champions, David needed encouragement in the wilderness of Ziph. Thankfully for him, and eventually us, Jonathan strengthened his hand in God.

Real men and women have limits. You can only be so strong, so long, for others. Sooner, or later, you need someone to come to a lonely, isolated place and pour at least a little help and encouragement on you.

Before David sat the throne he walked (or ran) the woods. Before he became an ancestor of Christ, David’s soul cried out for an encouraging word and a moment of reassurance. Jonathan appeared at a dark and cold moment in David’s life and brought light and warmth.

In your woods, let them come. Accept the blessing they bring. God is answering your need.

Think: God will provide encouragement and reassurance in my difficult places.

Pray: “Lord, I accept the encouragement and blessing You send.”

 

Copyright © September 2017, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.