1 Samuel 19-20
H - "'For as long as the son of Jesse [David] lives on the earth, neither you [Jonathan] nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me [Saul], for he shall surely die.'" - 1 Samuel 20:31
E - Saul is paranoid about David, yet his son Jonathan has become David's best friend. Saul sees that David could become king instead of Jonathan. He is upset that Jonathan is allowing this to happen. But Jonathan would rather David be king than himself.
A - Father, am I seeking my own kingdom or the kingdom of the son of David, Jesus? I am afraid I am seeking a name for myself rather than seeking to glorify Jesus' name. Lord, in all my busyness, is my focus straying from Jesus' kingdom? I an afraid I am falling for self-focus and spiritual pride.
R - "Read the Bible Christocentrically. The rise of David foreshadows the rise of Jesus. Be a true friend of Jesus and elevate him, just as Jonathan was a true friend of David and elevated him. Jonathan was very wise to cut an eternal covenant with David. You, then, cut an eternal covenant with Jesus. Seek not your own kingdom on this earth, but the kingdom of Messiah and God (Ephesians 5:5). Your eternity depends on how closely you ally yourself with the agenda of Jesus and his kingdom."
P - I hear you, Father. Jesus, may your kingdom be everything to me. I want to have the same attitude to you as Jonathan had to David. May I seek your kingdom and not a kingdom of my own. May my full loyalty be to you, Jesus. Amen.
Jeff Coleman