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Taking Second Place
One of the main trends in current society is to blame one’s parents for most (if not all) problems in life. To be sure, some folk do carry a lot of heavy emotional baggage from their parents. We can’t deny that fact.
However, it seems that the past decades have seen an incredible increase in this unfortunate tendency. We blame not only our parents but sometimes siblings, teachers, circumstances—anything or anyone else in order to avoid taking responsibility for our own circumstances.
Though we all are subjected to, and even victims of, circumstances beyond our control—Jonathan’s life shows us that we can work through them, at least to some degree. Jonathan would have had a right to blame his father for most of his troubles. If Saul had been faithful, then Jonathan would have had the throne. Jonathan chooses not to play the blame game, though. Jonathan has a good sense of self-worth. Instead of letting himself become bitter and resentful, he trusts that God knows best, and so Jonathan chooses to do what he can with what he has. It probably was not easy for Jonathan to maintain this faith and trust in God when he realized that God had chosen David, rather than himself, to become the next king.
Describe Jonathan’s reaction to the fact that David will be king in his stead. What does this tell us about Jonathan? 1 Sam. 23:17. Contrast his attitude to those displayed in Isaiah 14:13, 14; 1 Kings 1:5; and Mark 10:35–37. What is the difference?
When we have our identity secure in God, we are able to face rejection or criticism without being devastated or losing our sense of self-worth. A big part of having our own identity secure in God involves our experience and relationship with Him. Jonathan had already had a dramatic personal experience with God in his victory over the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14.
The later story of David’s family is marked by rebellions and internal strife. Absalom and Adonijah both seek to usurp the throne from their father, David. They are unwilling to allow God to choose the new king. Jonathan’s attitude stands in total contrast to this “I” spirit. He is willing to take second place. He tries to inspire harmony and reconciliation between his father and his friend David (1 Sam. 19:4). He truly stands as an example of a servant leader prepared to take second or even third place.
Using Jonathan as an example, what can you do when you don’t get the job, position, or respect you feel that you are entitled to? How can you control feelings of rejection, envy, and hate?
| WEDNESDAY | October 20 |
One of the main trends in current society is to blame one’s parents for most (if not all) problems in life. To be sure, some folk do carry a lot of heavy emotional baggage from their parents. We can’t deny that fact.
However, it seems that the past decades have seen an incredible increase in this unfortunate tendency. We blame not only our parents but sometimes siblings, teachers, circumstances—anything or anyone else in order to avoid taking responsibility for our own circumstances.
Though we all are subjected to, and even victims of, circumstances beyond our control—Jonathan’s life shows us that we can work through them, at least to some degree. Jonathan would have had a right to blame his father for most of his troubles. If Saul had been faithful, then Jonathan would have had the throne. Jonathan chooses not to play the blame game, though. Jonathan has a good sense of self-worth. Instead of letting himself become bitter and resentful, he trusts that God knows best, and so Jonathan chooses to do what he can with what he has. It probably was not easy for Jonathan to maintain this faith and trust in God when he realized that God had chosen David, rather than himself, to become the next king.
Describe Jonathan’s reaction to the fact that David will be king in his stead. What does this tell us about Jonathan? 1 Sam. 23:17. Contrast his attitude to those displayed in Isaiah 14:13, 14; 1 Kings 1:5; and Mark 10:35–37. What is the difference?
When we have our identity secure in God, we are able to face rejection or criticism without being devastated or losing our sense of self-worth. A big part of having our own identity secure in God involves our experience and relationship with Him. Jonathan had already had a dramatic personal experience with God in his victory over the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14.
The later story of David’s family is marked by rebellions and internal strife. Absalom and Adonijah both seek to usurp the throne from their father, David. They are unwilling to allow God to choose the new king. Jonathan’s attitude stands in total contrast to this “I” spirit. He is willing to take second place. He tries to inspire harmony and reconciliation between his father and his friend David (1 Sam. 19:4). He truly stands as an example of a servant leader prepared to take second or even third place.
Using Jonathan as an example, what can you do when you don’t get the job, position, or respect you feel that you are entitled to? How can you control feelings of rejection, envy, and hate?
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