Here is a beautiful story of loyal friendship in the Bible that warms our heart as it is one of a kind, a rare find in our generation. David and Jonathan were bound by the cord of friendship even in the toughest circumstance of life that they faced. What lessons can we get from this story today especially for the younger generation of today?

Let’s look into the friendship of David and Jonathan:

 

• A Friend in Adversity: Jonathan knew his father was looking for a way to kill his friend, David at any given opportunity.  But was willing to take the risk of standing up for David even when it almost cost him his life (1Sam20:33). Jonathan didn’t forsake his friend in the tough time of his life but was willing to take a risk to help him.
   

• A Friend of selfless love: Jonathan had no selfish ambition in their friendship—he knew very well that David would one day take the throne that should have come to him from his father, but he had no envy unlike Saul (1Sam20:31). All around us we see people of selfish ambitions constantly stepping on other’s toes to further their ambitious plans! The antidote God’s Word offers is: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil 2:4 ESV)
   

• A Friend of loyalty: Both Jonathan and David pledged loyalty to each other in a covenant of love to protect each other and show kindness to their generation (1Sam20:14-16, 1Sam20:23). And we see this coming to pass even after Jonathan’s death how David showed compassion to his son, Mephibosheth. It is difficult to find loyal/faithful friends who can keep their word let alone their friendship- most are “fair-weather friends”- ones who stick with you when all is well with you!! The story of David and Jonathan teaches us about loyalty even we weather through the tough seasons of life!

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Looking into our friendships, can we be reliable as a good friend? The old adage goes: A friend in need is a friend indeed! Have we reached out to be a friend to one in need? Can we be trusted to stand by our friends in their adversity?  It will also do us well to be vigilant in making friends: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov.13:20 NRSV) ; for if we do not choose wisely we will be the worse for the wrong choices!

With all that’s been said, we need to turn our attention to a particular verse in the Bible: “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov.18:24) This is none other than Christ Jesus Himself! When all friends fail, we have one who will never fail us (Heb 13:8). He called us friends (John 15:15) and as He himself said, showed His loyal love by laying down His life that we may be made right with God through Him (John 15:13). You can trust Him with your life and be sure He can be a companion for life!

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Thought for the Day:

“Do not be fooled.

“Bad companions ruin good character.”

-1Cor.15:33 GNT

Listen- ‘There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus’