Helping Others

“While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.” 1 Samuel 23:15-16 NIV

David found himself outnumbered, and hunted by Israel’s army. In fact, King Saul was determined to “take his life.” It was a time when he had reason to be afraid. When he needed friends. He needed to know what to do and where to go.

We feel his desperation in a prayer when he was fleeing from Saul: “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 57:1). God answered his prayers in part from an unlikely source: Jonathan, the son of the man who was seeking to kill him.

Clearly, God loved David and was ready to help him. Yet it was Jonathan who “helped him find strength in God.” He used his friend to provide the help he needed, and bring him through this crisis.

This story demonstrates how God can use us to be a spiritual influence in the lives of others. We can provide the strength they need in times of weakness. We can provide a Biblical perspective on their lives and the things they face. We can encourage them to seek God, and not be filled with doubt, worry, or fear. We can pray for them, and help relieve their burdens. And we might be able to help with their financial or physical needs.

Today, remember that God has blessed you so you can bless others. Ask Him to give you a sensitivity to the needs of the people He brings into your life. Then, be ready to reach out to them, and point them to Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for all that You have given me. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of other people. Help me to use my time, talent, and treasure to bless others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.