David and Jonathan’s friendship became tighter than the lid on grandma’s pickle jar. Their friendship wasn’t just casual; it was covenant-level serious. Jonathan even gave David his royal robe, his armor, and his weapons. That’s like giving someone your Netflix password and the last slice of cheesecake. That’s deep, folks. Most of us have friends, but a covenant-level friendship is a special kind of friendship.
David’s Victory
Being an obedient son, David got up early that morning and headed to the battle to check on his brothers as his father instructed him to do, “And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle” (v. 20). The armies would go down into the valley in battle array, but no one from the army of Israel would step forward to face Goliath. They were all shout, but no fight.
DAVID’S ANOINTING
Pentecost Sunday reminds us that this same Holy Spirit who anointed David and Jesus now anoints the church, you and me, to go forth in power and courage with our witness that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and the only hope for salvation.
DAVID’S PREDECESSOR: SAUL
Saul’s story begins in 1 Samuel 9, where we meet a man named Kish. He was a mighty man of Benjamin, who had a son named Saul. The Bible says Saul was tall and handsome—there wasn’t a man in Israel better looking than him. He looked like a king. He walked like a king. But how many of you know that looking the part doesn’t always mean you’re ready for the part?
DAVID’S ROOTS: RUTH & BOAZ
Boaz is a type of Christ! But Ruth, the destitute Gentile, is a picture of all who are lost in sin and separated from God. Just like Ruth couldn’t redeem herself, we couldn’t save ourselves either, but Jesus stepped in! Just like Boaz showed favor to Ruth when she didn’t deserve it, Jesus showed favor to us when we didn’t deserve it. Just like Boaz redeemed Ruth and restored her inheritance, Jesus redeemed us and restored everything sin had stolen from us. Now we are heirs and joint-heirs with Jesus (Ro 8:17).
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
You’re not just another pebble on the beach. You’re not just another book on the shelf. Never look in the mirror and let the devil tell you that you’re a nobody and you don’t matter. I know who I am in Christ. I’m one of a kind. God only made one of me. Only I have this thumbprint. My DNA is unique to me alone. God reached down into the mirey clay, pulled me out, restored me, renewed me, and revived me. Then He put the seal of the Holy Spirit upon my soul. I am signed, sealed, and delivered through the blood of Jesus Christ.
RISE AND SHINE: RESURRECTION SUNDAY
As we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday, let us hear and heed the angelic commands: “Do not be afraid,” “Come see,” and “Go quickly and tell.” Let us live fearless lives rooted in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Let us come and see His goodness and faithfulness every day. And let us go quickly and tell others of His love and salvation.
Let The Lord of Peace Come In
The peace Jesus gives is not just for a moment; it is for all times and in every way. It is a peace that should permeate every aspect of our lives—our homes, our relationships, our workplaces. When trials come, we need to hold on to this truth: The Lord of Peace Himself is with us. He walks with us through every valley and stands with us on every mountaintop.
Walk in Obedience Work by Faith
If people continue to walk in disobedience to God’s Word and God’s will, and we tell them, “You can keep doing what you’re doing because Jesus loves you, and we love you,” we are not helping them. We are hurting them by affirming them in their sins rather than challenging them to change. Jesus loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us like we are. He will always offer us a way to rise up, to press on, to be more in Him than we could be without Him. But if we dig in our heels and refuse to grow, we are living in rebellion, and God never blesses a rebellious spirit.
Strength for the Journey
This life is a journey, and the truth is that it isn’t always easy. In fact, it is rarely easy because there are mountains to climb, valleys to cross, storms to endure, and battles to fight. But we can make it because, as the children of God, we never walk this journey alone. God is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us, and He gives us the strength we need to keep on keeping on. He picks us up if we fall, He points us in the right direction if we’re lost, and He holds our hands when we are afraid. It is a journey, but is a journey where our faith will end in the glorious sight of our Savior.