[One-Verse Meditation]

1 Samuel 20:1 (NIV) Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?”

[Meditation]

Fleeing from Saul who seeks to kill him, David escapes to Naioth in Ramah. Saul sends messengers three times to capture David, but when the Spirit of God comes upon them, they forget their original mission and prophesy. (This should be seen not as typical prophecy, but as God’s supernatural work to incapacitate them.)

Eventually, Saul goes himself, but he too is seized by the Spirit of God and collapses in disgrace, stripped of his robes. In that gap, David escapes, finds his friend Jonathan, and pours out his despairing heart: “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?”

In this verse, we get a glimpse into David’s heart. It is a protest and a lament: “Why must I, who have done nothing wrong, suffer this ordeal?” When unexpected and undesired events unfold before us, contrary to our hopes and plans, we too feel this way: “Lord, what is all this?”

Herein lies the work of the Lord. From that place of faithlessness, the Lord raises us up. “Not at all! You will not die.” Although these words come from Jonathan’s heart to comfort David, the Lord uses even this to do His work. The eye that sees this work of God unfolding in everyday life is faith.

[Prayer]

Lord, You turn all my moments into good. You use even my sighs and despair, worries and complaints, as material for faith in You. Therefore I, who have nothing to boast of, sing only of You. May my walk today be one of praising You with a new song. Amen.
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[Daily Meditation]

1 Samuel 19:18-20:7