Everyone needs a true friend: David and Jonathan – 12 July 2021

The Lord said it in the very beginning, in Genesis 2:18, he said that it is not good for a person to be alone. From the very beginning each person feels the need for friends in their lives.

A friend is someone who truly loves you as you are. They probably know you better than you know yourself. They see your potential when you are stuck in your limitations. They see you on your worst days, and still choose to walk with you.

A true friend has your best interest at heart. They cover your back when the enemy attacks. Jonathan would stand up to his father when King Saul wanted to kill David. In1 Samuel 18:4, we see Jonathan handing over his princely robe, thereby elevating the status of the shepherd boy to becoming his equal. He also gave David his sword, bow and belt – his armour would be more David’s size than his father’s. Thereby, he would try and protect David from the battle of life.

This friendship with Jonathan sustained David through dark times in his life. We all need such friends. Friends that God introduces into our lives. Men and women who truly love God, and who also love us. We need such friends to share life’s great experiences with. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

A friendship like this is a gift from God. It takes years to develop and grow in depth. It takes time and commitment to keep it going. We only have the ability to sustain a few friendships like these during our lifetime. The Afrikaans poet CJ Langenhoven said that our friendliness should be cheap, but our friendship costly. Be friendly to all people. But take good care of your true friends. Do you want a friend like Jonathan? Then be one too, like David.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the friends in my life. Thank you for people who love me as I am, and who help me up when I fall in life. Please help me to be a good friend in return, who adds value to their experience of life. Amen