by Jonathan Krause
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Read Acts 27:9–26
I am no sailor.
I once got seasick on a houseboat on a lake while we were still attached to the wharf.
And I’ve never been on a cruise. Not only am I scared of going cabin-crazy from being confined, but I worry I will eat too much, exercise too little, and come home twice the man I was when I set sail.
So, I don’t know how I would go on a boat in a storm.
And if some smart fella stood up and told me to have courage, as Paul did in the Bible reading, I’m not sure I’d want to listen. Especially when he said in the next breath that we were going to be shipwrecked even if we did exactly as commanded!
What is courage anyway?
I’m not sure that it means you’re not scared. Your greatest courage is when you are scared – but you carry on anyway. (Those of us blessed to be Collingwood supporters know that feeling well – we are always scared we’ll lose, especially when it comes to finals, but we have the courage to keep hanging in there anyway!)
I don’t know what your life is like right now.
Maybe the cost-of-living crisis or high mortgage interest rates are causing you stress. Perhaps you’re worried about a loved one or have lost someone dear to you. Maybe the black dog of depression is barking at your ankles, or the chill of loneliness is wrapping icy fingers around your heart.
We shouldn’t be surprised. The storms will come. We may even run aground and suffer in ways that feel unfair or overwhelming.
That’s when we need the courage to hold on to our faith. Maybe it’s by our fingernails. Perhaps we feel too weary and worn to hold on a moment longer. That’s when we lift our eyes to Jesus, focus only on him, and – rather than holding on – let ourselves be held.
That takes true courage. I pray that for you.
Lord, you know me. You understand the life I lead, the challenges that confront me, the joys that delight. I know no life goes by without storms. Give me the courage to hold on to you. Amen.
Jonathan lives south of Adelaide with his wife Julie. Blessed by children and grandchildren, Jonathan enjoys reading and writing, walking by the beach and watching Collingwood win. Author of many devotion books, Jonathan is the Community Action Manager for the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).
Friendship
by Faye Schmidt
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Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord’ (1 Samuel 20:42a).
Read 1 Samuel 20:24–42
The readings this week have introduced us to the jealousy of Saul, the loyalty of Jonathan and the mercy of David. Today, we recognise the friendship between David and Jonathan and how valuable a friendship can be.
In John 15:15, we read, ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.’
Jesus called the disciples – and by extension, those believers who ‘abide’ in him (John 15:9,10) – his ‘friends’, as proven by communication. Jesus openly speaks with us through his word (John 15:7). That Christ instructs and informs us, beyond commands, as well as offering his life for our sake (John 15:13), are powerful proofs that he sees us as his ‘friends’.
This does not erase the idea that believers are ‘servants’ of Christ (Romans 1:1). Jesus is indicating that his intended relationship with believers involves communication and support, rather than simple dictatorship. This also supports the ‘vine and branches’ analogy Jesus used earlier in this passage (John 15:1–8). As God’s love and knowledge flow to Christ, Christ passes them down to us, just as a vine passes life along its branches. We, in turn, are meant to pass the word – and love – to other people (Matthew 28:19; John 13:34,35; John 14:15).
As the hymn states, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to him in prayer.’
O God my Father, who is often closest to me when I am farthest from you, and who is near at hand even when I feel that you have forgotten me, mercifully grant that I may grow more sure of your reality and power, and may I attain a clearer mind as to the meaning of my life on Earth. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
Competing loyalties
by Faye Schmidt
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So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.’ And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself (1 Samuel 20:16,17).
Read 1 Samuel 20:1–23
The problem with loyalty is that everyone has their own definition of it. At some point, we will find ourselves in the painful position where being loyal to one person makes us feel like a betrayer to another.
Chapter 20 of 1 Samuel provides a guideline for when we must make a decision.
Simply put, to be loyal is to honour our commitment even if it is more beneficial for us to break it. An honourable person ‘keeps [their] oath even when it hurts’ (Psalm 15:4).
Unfortunately, many understand loyalty to be an unwavering commitment to someone’s personal agenda. When loyalty is defined in this way, the guidelines vary, and confusion and strife are sure to emerge.
King Saul’s misperception of loyalty created a horrible situation for his son Jonathan. Jonathan, the heir to Saul’s throne, swore an oath of protection to his friend David. Unfortunately, Saul felt threatened by David and was enraged that Jonathan would not help him find and kill David. Jonathan was faced with navigating the painful process of competing loyalties.
Jonathan deeply loved both his father and David, but he knew his primary loyalty was to God. He couldn’t assist his father in a personal vendetta motivated by insecurity and pride. David did nothing deserving of death. The choice was clear.
When we feel trapped by competing loyalties, the only way to make the right choice is to remember that our primary loyalty is to God, and that our hearts are to be ‘fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands’ (1 Kings 8:61).
And what is God’s command? ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (John 13:34).
Heavenly Father, who has been the hope and joy of many generations, and who has given us the power to seek you throughout all ages, I pray that you grant me a clearer vision of your truth, a greater faith in your power and a more confident assurance of your love. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
How God comes to you through others.
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So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped (1 Samuel 19:12).
Read 1 Samuel 19:1–18
Our text tells the story of a man with a serious lifestyle problem. Saul was jealous and unable to control his emotions – to the point of intending to kill David … more than once. The more David served and brought benefit to the king, the more the king despised him. Sometimes, the consequences of our actions aren’t logical. We do what we think is right, only to suffer because of it. David needed help.
First, the king’s son, Jonathan, intervened with his father and tried to reason with the murderous king. For a moment, in 1 Samuel 19:6, Saul relented, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.’
Soon, another war called David to fight for his king. David performed so well in battle that Saul returned to his jealousy and tried to kill David (1 Samuel 19:10). So, David’s wife, Michal, intervened, and David escaped.
David was doing the right thing, but he was getting nowhere with the king. He needed help. God stepped in through Jonathan, then Michal and then through his own Spirit. Likewise, God steps in for us in the form of family, friends and others who care about us.
When you need help, who do you go to? Is there someone within your family like Michal, or do you have a friend like Jonathan?
One thing is certain – we all need help in times of need, and we should never forget that there is one who gave his life so that he would be our advocate before God.
Heavenly Father, I commend to your holy keeping: all who are far from home and family; all who are homeless and hungry; all who suffer pain; all
who are kept awake by anxiety or suspense. Give them all such a sense of your presence with them as may turn their loneliness into comfort
and their trouble into peace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board and the General Church Board, currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She is passionate about new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.