Jonathan - the crown prince, the next in line to the throne - looks at this unlikely hero, stripped himself of the robe he was wearing and the weapons he was carrying, and gave them to David. Jonathan was a hero in his own right. He could have looked at David as competition. But he didn’t. Instead, he gave up his power and prestige to ally himself with this one-time shepherd boy from Bethlehem.

You might have a program, a plan, a passion. But the Lord would say to you today, “Let go. Give Me your robe and your weapons. Knit your soul with Mine, and what you’ll find is freedom and fulfillment like you’ve never known.”

Saul was determined to remain on the throne and in control. Jonathan does just the opposite. Saul goes down in infamy; Jonathan is exalted eternally. When you talk to people at work, on the campus, or in the neighborhood, the issue is always the same: Are you willing to get off the throne of your life? Are you willing to give control to the God Who loves you so much that He became the Good Shepherd who gave His life for you?

This is a daily issue for those of us who know the Lord as well. Who will be on the throne today? Will I give up my abilities and appearance to follow the One who gave up the throne of Heaven to die for me?