February 10, 2024 7:00 pm
Although she finished first in her qualifying race, US speedskater Brittany Bowe gave up her chance to compete in the 500-meter event at the 2022 Winter Olympics to teammate Erin Jackson. Jackson had an unfortunate slip in the race that left her just one place away from making the team.
What motivated Bowe to relinquish the spot she’d earned? Friendship. Having trained together for years, Bowe believed Jackson deserved a spot on the team. Bowe was right. Jackson become the first US Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual event.
In the deep friendship between Jonathan and David in the Old Testament, there was also sacrifice. Jonathan was King Saul’s oldest son and heir to Israel’s throne. When God rejected Saul and choose David to be king (1 Samuel 16:1–12), Jonathan could have continued to claim a right for the throne. Instead, he sacrificed his own personal interests for David. Jonathan even devised a plan to protect David by sending him away when David’s life was threatened (20:18–23). As they parted, Jonathan encouraged David saying, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord” (20:42).
Jonathan and David’s friendship was characterized by love even at great personal cost. It’s a beautiful reminder that God is powerfully at work when we love our friends more than ourselves (John 16:12–13).
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading titled, I've Seen God's Faithfulness, was written by Lisa M. Samra. Throughout her historic 70 years as Britain's ruler, Queen Elizabeth II only endorsed one biography about her life with a personal foreword, the servant queen and the king she serves. Released in celebration of her 90th birthday, the book recounts how her faith guided her as she served her country. In the foreword, Queen Elizabeth expressed gratitude for everyone who'd prayed for her, and she thanked God for his steadfast love.
She concluded, I have indeed seen his faithfulness. It's this theme underlying a beautiful song King David wrote as he reflected on his life. Recorded in 2 Samuel 22, the song speaks of God's faithfulness in protecting David, providing for him, and even rescuing him when his very life was in danger. In response to his experience of God's faithfulness, David wrote, I will sing the praises of your name. While there's added beauty when God's faithfulness is seen over a long lifetime, we don't have to wait to recount his care in our lives. When we recognize that it's not our own abilities that carry us through life, but the faithful care of a loving father, we're moved to gratitude and praise.
Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 2 Samuel chapter 22 verses 1-4 and 48-51. David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said, The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior.
From violent people you save me. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise and have been saved from my enemies. Now picking up at verse 48, He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes.
From a violent man you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations. I will sing the praises of your name.
He gives His King great victories. He shows unfailing kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we're grateful that when we look back on our lives in every season, whether in sorrow or joy, we can see your faithfulness. Remind us of this as we look ahead into the unknown so we can face whatever comes with the assurance that you are always with us and you will carry us through. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening today. My name is Brenna Holsqua, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-02-10 20:09:09 / 2024-02-10 20:10:47 / 2
