5^th January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: THE BOW AND THE LOVE OF GOD

THEME SCRIPTURE: "And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son (and he bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):"  2 Samuel 1:17-18 ASV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How strong is God's love for you?

Saul and Jonathan are dead. The news got to David after he had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and had rested for two days at Ziklag (2 Sam 1:1). The news of the death of his master hit David hard, and out of genuine grief, he rent his clothes. At such a time like this, what can one do but to lament?

Precious one, out of the depths of a guileless heart, David poured forth a dirge dubbed "The Song of the Bow." This dirge is one of the noblest elegies in any tongue.

Beloved, the lines of this dirge are unrivaled. David, the psalmist, must have drawn this song out of the wells of affection which he had for his master. Surely, unless David had drunk deep of that divine love which believes all things, bears all things, hopes and endures all things, this dirge wouldn't have been possible. David had suffered under the hands of his master Saul. King Saul had pursued David like a wild bird (1 Sam 26:20-21), driving him out of the inheritance of Jehovah (1 Sam 26:19). David's life was threatened by his own master.

However, at the hearing of the death of Saul and Jonathan, David forgets all that he had suffered. David's love spared Saul multiple times when he had the opportunity to kill him (1 Sam 26:8-9). This same love refused to consider anything but what was pleasant and lovely in his master. David was terrible and fierce on the battlefield, but in his relationships, he loved deeply and truly.

If human love [of David] could impute nothing but good to those who are the object of his love, what will we say of God's love for us?

Precious one, what will God's love not say of us, not feel towards us, or impute towards us? By this, we are able to peep into the love of God for us and appreciate that simple scripture, "For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16). Beloved, God's love for us is exceedingly rich and unfailing. Such that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. With His love, you are so secure throughout the year, precious one. His goodness and mercies will follow you all your days.

Remain blessed

FURTHER READING: 2 Samuel 1:11-27

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD  

1. How confident are you of God's love for you?

CONFESSION

Precious Father, your love for me is immeasurable. If you did not withhold your Son but gave Him for our redemption, what else would you not freely give me if I ask you in Jesus' name? Thank you, Father, for so great your love for me.

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Genesis 9; Genesis 10; Psalm 11; Psalm 12; Psalm 13; Matthew 7