David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him,“Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this. (ESV)

In today's Scripture, we find David in the middle of the wilderness, dodging King Saul who is intent on killing him. David was set apart by God to become King of Israel when he was young but is now in an extended period of waiting as God prepares him for this calling. At this point in David’s story, he is likely tired, hungry, and scared. It would even be easy for him to doubt what God’s plan is in all of this and whether he is truly destined to become king. But what we can see time and again is that he continues to seek God’s guidance at every turn. And God uses the people that David is in community with along the way.

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But God’s guidance and design for living in community weren’t only meant for David. (Spoiler alert, our Creator wants the same for us too!) What happens next is a powerful illustration of how God puts the right people in our lives when we need it the most. In comes David’s good friend Jonathan to speak truth and encouragement into his life. It is important to note that it likely wasn’t easy for Jonathon to go see his friend, considering his father was King Saul. Yes, the very person looking to take David’s life. Nonetheless, Jonathan helps David find strength in God and reminds him of the plan that is in store. I really wonder what that conversation between Jonathan and David must have been like. Did they discuss that this was just another David vs. Goliath scenario that God would bring him through?  

Can you remember a period of waiting in your own life? Did the odds feel stacked against you? It could have been a time that was uncertain, stressful, or even downright frightening. Maybe it was a difficult challenge, a new job, or a medical diagnosis. Or have you ever walked alongside someone else going through similar circumstances in their life?  

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I can certainly think of times when I felt like I was on the run, fearful, and uncertain of what would happen next. Having people around to encourage me in God’s goodness and trustworthiness made such a difference in my life. These people that God places in our lives to speak truth, walk alongside us, and remind us of his promises are some of the ways that God uses community to encourage us along the way. We can take comfort in these truths: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deut. 7:9). God is trustworthy, and we can take his promises to the bank. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of this fact. God often uses community and the unique experiences, perspectives, and gifts of everyone in it to encourage us to lean into him.

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God has a plan for your life, too. How cool is it to know that not only does the Creator of the universe want to use us to carry out his plans, but also that he designed us to do it in community with others?! That means that we do not have to go through life alone. With God living inside of us and fellow believers by our side, he can accomplish so much more than we would ever be capable of on our own. Friends, please don’t live in isolation. Ask him to show you where and how you can boldly and lovingly speak into other’s lives. Ask God to reveal who you can encourage and be encouraged by today.

God, thank you for creating us to be in community with others. Thank you for putting people like David and Jonathan in our lives. Please help us develop these relationships with the people you have placed there for this purpose. Help us to be sensitive to what you are calling us to. Teach us how we can be encouraging to others, or ourselves be encouraged. Show us where we can share your love and truth. Thank you that we don’t have to go through life alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen!