Friends – Part 2

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas

As children of GOD, we ought to strive to be the kind of a friend we think we deserve to have – reliable and authentic; without falsehood, hypocrisy, or guile; one who always has a another’s best and truest interest at heart, and will seek after their good, even at our own expense.

We all know that JESUS is such a friend but the Scriptures tell us of others just like ourselves, mere mortals, who were genuine and selfless friends – the kind that sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24b

 The kind of friend we want - Jonathan

One of the most famous stories about friendship in the Bible is told in 1 Samuel 18-20 – it’s the story of Jonathan and David.

David was the second king to rule over ancient Israel, after King Saul. GOD took away the kingdom from Saul and chose David to replace him as king of Israel because Saul disobeyed GOD.

Saul’s son Jonathan was David friend. The two young men formed a special bond of friendship from their first meeting. The Scriptures tells us that Jonathan loved David as his own soul and made a covenant of friendship with him. (1 Samuel 18:1-3).

But for Saul’s transgression against the LORD, Jonathan, as a rightful heir, ought to have been Saul’s successor. Even though Jonathan knew that David would be the next king, he did not let that fact change their friendship. Instead Jonathan trusted God’s decision, accepted it with grace and continued to show genuine goodwill towards David.

Jonathan not only yielded to GOD’s will but protected David from his father who, in a jealous rage, was determined to kill David.

“My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.” Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. 1 Samuel 19:2-4

Saul’s hatred and fear of David was so intense that Jonathan couldn’t trust him not to harm his friend, although Saul denied that he would. When Jonathan finally confronted Saul with the truth, Saul turned his anger toward Jonathan, called him a traitor and tried to kill his own son.

Jonathan put his relationship with his father at risk, as well as his own life, to save his friend. He was never jealous of David’s position and his affection continued to be genuine. David came to rely on Jonathan's protection from Saul's wrath.

“….if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father.” 1 Samuel 20:13

Eventually, out of necessity, David and Jonathan parted. Later, when David learned of Jonathan’s death on the battlefield he was heartbroken and wrote a beautiful tribute to honor his friend.

Human sympathy is sweet, but it is necessarily an imperfect thing. Sympathy, whether with sorrow or temptation, in order to be perfect, must proceed from One who has infinite power of sympathizing, and infinite good will to exercise it. George W. Mylne

  

The One perfect Friend – JESUS

By GOD’s grace and His Spirit that lives within us, we strive to be the best friend we can be and to choose our friends wisely. But, we are imperfect creatures who make mistakes so our perfect LORD has provided a way out for us – forgiveness and reconciliation.

To be a friend and keep our friends we must be willing to forgive continually, receive forgiveness and be reconciled.

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22

“If your brother or sister[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Luke 17:3-4

How well we live and serve our Father has a lot to do with the quality of support we have and give. The right kind of friends keep each other anchored and true to self, purpose and GOD.

Friendship, says C.S. Lewis, is one of those things that give value to survival.

Friends make our lives better.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, our Father in Heaven. YOUR WORD says that if we listen to advice and accept discipline, at the end we will be counted among the wise. Father we are listening and we are learning how YOU desire us to live. As we go through this journey we ask that YOU continue to give us wisdom to both be a friend and choose the right friends. We thank YOU for being our best and truest friend who forgives us so much and because of YOUR grace and mercy we can extend grace and mercy, for the same reason YOU do, to keep our friends close, to be the kind of friend that brings honor and glory to YOUR NAME. We praise YOU, Father, and give honor to JESUS CHRIST, our Redeemer and Friend! In WHOSE NAME we pray.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile