OCTOBER 20

1 Samuel 20:35-40

                        BOY WHO FOUND THE ARROWS FOR JONATHAN

Jonathan was the son of King Saul of Israel. King Saul was very jealous of David and how it appeared that God wanted David to be the next king. This was a huge blow to Saul for he wanted his son – Jonathan – to take over and so Saul tried to kill David. Poor David had to hide. There is a twist - Jonathan and David were very good friends. Jonathan was a godly young man who despite knowing that he would NOT be the next king, was happy to help David take over his own father! So he helped David find out the king’s plans. They arranged the place, the time and the signal. David watched from his hiding place as Jonathan shot the arrow beyond the boy, whose duty was to find and pick up the arrow for Jonathan. Then Jonathan shouted to the boy, “Make speed, haste, stay not” - it was the message for David to escape.

Dear reader, that boy didn’t know why he was asked to do what he did, but be obeyed his master. Why? He trusted his master. Jonathan must have been a wonderful and caring master. He must have taken good care of this lad. As prince of Israel, he must have had the power to do a lot of good and showered kindness on the lad. So the lad knew that his good master will never command him to do anything wrong. Although the boy didn’t know it, he fulfilled a very important task.

Sometimes, we feel that way, don’t we? We are told in the bible to obey the Lord, not to be selfish, to be kind, to be patient with others. And often, we may feel not fully understand. Or even agree! Often, the old self in us wants to selfish, unkind, or impatient with others. Be like this lad – just obey the Master! If Jonathan was a good master, how much better a Master is Jesus! If this lad could obey Jonathan, surely you can obey Jesus?

Thought: Do I obey my Master?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be a reliable child, always ready to do my duty, however difficult or tough it may be. I know it is often against my human will, but Heavenly Father, teach me to be like that lad in today’s passage – to obey my Master. In the precious name of Jesus - Amen.