Faith in Practice

We've seen some disturbing headlines from around the world in recent months.

On the global scale, earthquakes and tornadoes have killed tens of thousands of people.

Thousands of people with sub-prime mortgage loans have lost or nearly lost their homes to foreclosure.

Oil and, consequently, gas prices have both hit record highs, with no ceiling in sight for either.

The high fuel prices have led to higher price tags on groceries.

And, even closer to home, this year began with reports of several murders in our area, and police are looking for a serial rapist who has attacked at least three local women over the past six months.

Only one victim's name goes on any police report, but countless others — friends and family of victims and suspects — are always swallowed up in crime's ripple effect.

On top of that, it seems that not a week goes by without hearing about someone you know being diagnosed with cancer or some other deadly or debilitating disease.

Many people are on edge, and it's difficult to know who's at their breaking point.

In such a time, I'm reminded of David.

In the Old Testament, David was chosen by God to be the king of Israel.

The only problem is that the former king, Saul, refused to step down.

Instead of acknowledging the will of God, he decided to kill David, who had served the king faithfully.

Saul made two personal attempts on David's life, and his army of 3,000 men chased David, seemingly, all over Judah.

Then in I Samuel 23, David flees into the woods to hide from Saul. He must have felt confused, betrayed, afraid, emotionally drained and physically exhausted.

It was at that moment that Saul's own son, Jonathan, came to David in the woods and "strengthened his hand in God." (I Sam. 23:16)

After their meeting, David went on to elude Saul and eventually become the king of Israel. And, despite numerous failings as king, he is remembered as one of the godliest men in the Bible — "a man after [God's] own heart." (Acts 13:22)

But David's ascension to the throne might not have happened had God not used his friend Jonathan to provide some timely encouragement that day in the woods.

Jonathan told David not to be afraid, that his enemies would not find him, that his future was filled with promise and promotion, and that he'd be by David's side. (I Sam. 23:17)

In other words, Jonathan told his friend to hang in there.

We tend to believe we're closest to God when our prayers are answered, when we can reflect on our lives and recognize blessings we've received.

I believe we're never closer to God than when we become a blessing for someone else.

We can't all be kings like David, ruling over a nation, defeating armies and slaying giants.

But we can be like Jonathan.

We can all encourage someone.