relationships (1 Samuel 20:35-42) The Binding Agent in Our Relationships

(1 Samuel 20:35-42) Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out to the field at the time agreed upon with David, and a little boy was with him. 36 He said to his boy, “Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.” The boy ran, and he shot an arrow past him. 37 When the boy reached the location of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is the arrow not beyond you?” 38 Then Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry, be quick, do not stay!” And Jonathan’s boy picked up the arrow and came to his master. 39 But the boy was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter. 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.” 41 When the boy was gone, David got up from the south side, then he fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, until David wept immeasurably. 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, since we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’” So David set out and went on his way, while Jonathan went into the city.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Again, this wasn't sexual!  David and Jonathan were as close as brothers, as the bond of their friendship was the Lord.  Both of them had decided that the Lord should be between the two of them and their families, like asking God to bind and keep a relationship together with an eternal-super-glue!  Therefore, in a marriage, here is just one more reason why a believer should marry another believer.

Really, all our relationships with other believers should see it this way and have the Lord between all of us as the binding agent.  We should be asking and allowing God to build our relationships into stronger, loving friendships of unity, because we are family.  And we should ask and allow God to help us work things out when there are hurts, disappointments, disagreements, and misunderstandings.  As brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot pick and choose who is "related" to us, because we all have been chosen by our heavenly Father.

While God binds together and builds, Satan's realm seeks to divide and destroy!  So why would we allow demons to cause divisions among any of us?  As well, people are prone to gossip and act selfishly, so why would we allow a person to get in between.  And our own stubbornness and pride can drive wedges between us and even our most loved ones.  But if we constantly place God between us and any other person, we will see them through God's eyes, and through God's love, patience, forgiveness and graciousness.

The closer we all are to God, the closer we all are to each other.  Relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ should be stronger and more loving than anything else in this world.  It should be that Jesus' love is what makes us all very recognizable and unique from the rest of the world.

(John 13:34-35) "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”