Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
1 Samuel 18:1-5
18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
The COVID-19 season has been one that has been quite unique in nature. With quarantine, isolation, and social distancing, I have grown in my thankfulness for the opportunity to stay connected with friends and family. One of my best friends to this day lives in the North Texas area. He and I have the opportunity to talk just about every single day. We catch up and talk about life, ministry, struggles, and reminisce about the glory days of college. I am so thankful to this day for a friend like him, mainly because I know that no matter where we may be, he is just a call away to pray for and encourage me.
Having a quality friend is a gift from the Lord for the believer. As Christians, we know that Jesus is our friend, but God graciously provides earthly friendships for us to cherish. David and Jonathan’s friendship here in 1 Samuel 18 was a gift from the Lord. After David was anointed king and slain Goliath, he and Jonathan became best friends. They loved one another as family and were close to one another until Jonathan’s tragic death in 1 Samuel 31. David and Jonathan’s friendship throughout the book of 1 Samuel serves as such a great example for us today. As a matter of fact I believe we see two distinct qualities from 1 Samuel 18 on being a great friend.
1) CARE– In the beginning of 1 Samuel 18 we see that David and Jonathan cared for each other. They loved one another as if they were family, There was a true and genuine care for one another. Care in a friendship is expressed not just in compliments but also in convicting truth when appropriate. I am thankful for friends who cared enough to tell me the strong truth I needed to hear in order to correct my walk with Jesus and others. Proverbs 27:6 tells us that wounds from a friend are faithful. We need to be friends who show their care in compassion but also in conviction when appropriate.
2) COMMITMENT– Verses 3 and 4 of chapter 18 express the covenant David and Jonathan made pertaining to their friendship. They made a commitment to be friends until the end, no matter what may try to divide them. We see this play out in their life throughout the rest of the book. King Saul was Jonathan’s dad and became jealous of David due to his military successes. There were times when Saul sought to kill David and Jonathan ended up being the one who protected David. This friendship was more than just a simple connection based on common interests, these guys were committed friends who sought to meet each other’s needs, even if the cost was high. This ought to be the same reality for us today. The people the Lord has placed in our lives to be friends, we ought to treasure those relationships and be committed to them no matter the cost, circumstance, or season.
The friendship of David and Jonathan provides such a wonderful blueprint for how to be a true friend. In light of all that is going on right now in our world, friendships are so important. Listen, there are believers all around you who are in need of a friend. Who may be the Lord leading your family to befriend in these days? Whether you have just become friends and bonded with that couple in your lifegroup, or have that friend you have had for 30+ years, let us choose to be great friends in these days!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for me. Help me today to be a good friend to those around me. Help me to continue to cultivate some of the close friendships I have with others, but also open my eyes to those around me who are looking for a friend as well. In Jesus’ name, amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY:
Hosea 6:3
Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”