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Support - Wednesday 16 July 2008
.. Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 1 Samuel 18:1-3 NIV
I have the gift (or maybe the curse) of self-sufficiency. For me maybe it is the legacy of an only child who knew if she didn’t do things on her own she would never do them. When I am overstretched or find that I cannot manage a task on my own I will go through several strategies. Cut back on other activities; pray that God will provide the extra, work harder and longer. It is often when I am totally floored that I finally admit that I need other people to help me and even then it feels like an admission of failure. Happily I am learning to ask for help and to realise that other people enjoy helping me in the same way that I enjoy helping them.
Wherever David went he made friends. With various consequences. Jonathan risked his Father’s wrath to protect David, his sister Michal (then David’s wife) lied to her father to give him time to escape. Ahimelech the priest at Nob was willing to feed him and the whole town was put to death because of this. In no time at all he attracted four hundred men who wanted to fight for him. In a supreme irony David and his band of mercenaries ended up working for Achish the son of the king of Gath.
Even with a price on his head David was popular. This must mean that he came across as a good person to know. He had lots of good qualities, he was loyal and fair minded and he cared for the people around him.
David would not have made it without the help of others. He was willing to accept that he could not do it all by himself. The ability both to help others and accept help can be the difference between success and failure.
In the wilderness we need to appreciate the support of others around us.
Lord, Help us to swallow our pride which tells us we always have to do it ourselves and inspire us to be willing to offer help to others. Amen |
Sheree Burgess, 15/07/2008 |
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| | | Dawn Milward | 16/07/2008 10:35 | Thank you Cherie, I also once viewed asking for help as a sign of weakness, i was a 'be strong!'person and felt i had to just get on with it. However recently God has granted me a great freedom in asking for help and, as you say, i was deniying others the privilage and joy of being able to bless me, the same feelings i experience as i am able to help and bless others. Great devotionals, David is one of my favourites and i have just finished reading 'Facing your Giants' an insightful book into Davids' life and behaviour, and ours, and Gods continued faithfulness.
| | | | Dave MacLellan | 20/07/2008 17:26 | I agree with Dawn and Sheree. Many Christians, in my experience, are more willing to offer help than to ask for help when they need it. Also, I read "Facing your Giants" a few months ago and if anyone would like to read it I have a copy to give away to the first person who asks for it!
| | | | Dawn Milward | 21/07/2008 11:02 | I would be happy to pass on my copy also if anyone wants to read it, it is written with insight, honesty and humour!
| | | | Dawn Austin | 22/07/2008 11:50 | Hi Dave & Dawn, If I'm not too late I would love to read "Facing your Giants" do either of you still have a copy I could borrow?
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| Fri 18 July 2008 - Protection | | David was thirty years old when he became king and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years
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| Wed 16 July 2008 - Support | | .. Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house.
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| Mon 14 July 2008 - David, the Wilderness Years | | Whatever Saul gave David to do, he did it—and did it well. So well that Saul put him in charge of his military operations. Everybody, both the people in general and Saul's servants, approved of and admired David's leadership.
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| Mon 7 July 2008 - Community of All Ages | | Society should be a community of all ages, young and old. Unfortunately though, older people are normally ignored by younger ones, and they in turn find it difficult to understand the language of youth culture today
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