How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 2 Samuel 1:27.

Twice David had had Saul in his power; but when urged to slay him, he had refused to lift his hand against him who had been consecrated by the command of God to rule over Israel….

David’s grief at the death of Saul was sincere and deep, evincing the generosity of a noble nature. He did not exult in the fall of his enemy. The obstacle that had barred his access to the throne of Israel was removed, but at this he did not rejoice. Death had obliterated the remembrance of Saul’s distrust and cruelty, and now nothing in his history was thought of but that which was noble and kingly. The name of Saul was linked with that of Jonathan, whose friendship had been so true and so unselfish.32Patriarchs and Prophets, 695, 696.

Jonathan, by birth heir to the throne, yet knowing himself set aside by the divine decree; to his rival the most tender and faithful of friends, shielding David’s life at the peril of his own; steadfast at his father’s side through the dark days of his declining power, and at his side falling at the last—the name of Jonathan is treasured in heaven, and it stands on earth a witness to the existence and the power of unselfish love.

The song in which David gave utterance to the feelings of his heart became a treasure to his nation, and to the people of God in all subsequent ages: …

“How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan:
Very pleasant hast thou been unto me:
Thy love to me was wonderful,
Passing the love of women.
How are the mighty fallen,
And the weapons of war perished.
Conflict and Courage p. 175
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for my mother-in-law who is in the hospital for chest pains. Eileen
—–Please pray for Chelsea and Josue as their newborn baby Josiah died Sunday. He was their first child and had medical complications. Their hearts are breaking. Rose
—– Please put my neighbor on the prayer chain. she is 87 or 88 wants to go home to Jesus. her name is Margaret. Mary
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Dear Friends,

One time when our kids were at Union College, Ron and I got off from work a little early and began the five hour journey to Lincoln. When we were about forty-five minutes from home, I looked over to check the oil pressure and temperature gauges. The oil pressure was about half what it normally was. I asked Ron, “Isn’t the oil pressure a little low?” Just then the temperature gauge rose to dangerous levels. He said, “We’ve got problems.” and told me to pull over.

About a month before, we had gotten the engine rebuilt. Somehow the engine just did not seem to feel or sound quite right to Ron so he had made an appointment with the mechanic to take it back so he could check it out. It didn’t seem to be anything serious—just not quite right. There, alongside of the road, he was wishing that he had been given an earlier appointment.

After checking under the hood and adding some antifreeze and oil, Ron told me to drive about 55mph to the nearest exit. I did. The engine seemed to be doing ok, and I had hope that we would be able to continue on our journey. Ron, however, was watching the oil pressure gauge. It was not doing ok. The needle was fluctuating about 4 to 12 psi’s around a slightly lower than normal reading. When we got to the exit, he told me to drive a little faster to the next one so he could watch it a little longer. It began to settle down. Again I had hope of seeing my children. We passed that exit and he told me to increase my speed again. As I did so, the needle began to fluctuate. I slowed down and turned around at the next exit.

On the way back home, we noticed that the oil pressure was not responding as it should. If I took my foot off from the gas pedal, it would go up instead of down. If I sped up, it would go down. I suggested that the oil gauge had broken and all was really ok. Ron didn’t think so. We went over some bumps in the road. I watched the gauge in hopes that the needle would move with the bumps and that our problem was only a loose connection in the gauge. It didn’t move. Disappointedly we continued driving back home.

Sometimes on our journey of life, things begin to seem “not quite right.” At first, we continue on our way, thinking that we will check out that nagging feeling when the time is more convenient. Outwardly, all is going well and we travel along with anticipation of a pleasant journey through life. Suddenly, our “gauges” begin to show outwardly what has been festering within. Our plans get changed abruptly. We wonder why. Then we have to “pull alongside” the road of life and take a good look at the problem.

Often when troubles and trials come, it causes us to turn around on the broad way where we have been traveling and head back on the narrow path toward Home. Paul reminds us, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb 12:5-11

Let us be quick to recognize when something is “not quite right” and stop right then and “make [our] calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10 Let us follow the Lord’s leading even when it means turning around on the pathway we have been traveling. Let us declare as did Job, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

Rose

A Friend Mourns
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