| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| August 26, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
1 Samuel 18
1 Samuel 18:3–4 (ESV) 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
Jonathan loved David as his own soul and, as a gesture of his love, gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow and belt. Worth noting is that there seems to be no indication that David rejected Jonathan’s armor as he did Saul’s (1 Sam. 17:39). Granted, the circumstances between when the Saul’s armor was offered to David was markedly different than the exchange with Jonathan; the former occurring directly prior to battle and the latter when no battle was immanent. The NAC also provides some helpful details regarding these events and the relationship between David and Jonathan:
David and Jonathan had much in common; they were both courageous and capable young warriors who possessed profound faith in the Lord. Both had initiated faith-motivated attacks against militarily superior Philistines that had resulted in great victories for Israel. Jonathan, like his father Saul (16:21), “loved” (Hb. ‘ahab; v. 3) David. That love inspired him to make a covenant with David, one that was expressed with extravagant gifts to the new celebrity. In a single day David had acquired the finest sword in the Philistine army as well as one of the finest swords in Israel’s armory; he had been permitted to wear the king’s clothing in the time of conflict and was given princely clothing in times of peace.
Romans 16
Romans 16:17–18 (ESV) 17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Paul warns the brothers of those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to doctrine they had been taught. The “avoid them” at the end of v. 17 gives a sense that Paul is urging a very active aversion. Those who speak against the gospel of Christ are by no means servants of the kingdom but instead serve their own worldly appetites and ambitions. This they do through smooth talk and flattery, not unlike the false prophets of the OT. What’s more, their deception prays on the hearts of the naive—the simple and immature in the faith—who are particularly vulnerable to the wiles of the wicked. May we then take Paul’s exhortation seriously and be intentional in our evasion of anyone preaching a gospel contrary to one that has been given to us by God’s Word.
Lamentations 3
Lamentations 3:19–24 (ESV) 19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
The author transitions from deep lament to the transcendent hope we have in the LORD, calling to mind His steadfast love and that His mercies never come to an end. How wonderful it is to recall the faithfulness of our LORD in the midst of our greatest anguish. How much peace He is gracious to grant us in the remembrance of His goodness. Let it be for us that our souls would proclaim the LORD as our portion and that our hope be firmly placed in Him.
Psalm 34
Psalm 34:1–3 (ESV) 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
Following on the reflection on Lamentations, this psalm of David opens with a heart to bless the LORD at all times and that praise of the LORD will continually be in his mouth. The mouth can certainly speak wickedness (see James 3), but is also the means by which we vocalize our praise of the King. David first models the proper posture and then exhorts the church to share in his boasting in the LORD, that all His children would join in magnifying the LORD and exalting His name together. What an amazing passage this is to inspire collective worship.