A Friend and Brother

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 20:4, So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.”

Ephesians 6:12 warns, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The enemies we face each day are organized. They work together. In Mark 5, in dealing with a man who was possessed by demons, Jesus asked one of them, “What is your name?” In verse 9 the demon responded, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” If only we, as Christ followers, were this united in our daily battles and struggles. One of the saddest things I have seen in Christianity is the division and discord that exists within the body of Christ. There are far too many lonely Christians who desire fellowship and friendship, but cannot seem to find it amongst God’s people because we are either too busy living our own lives, or we just are not willing to put in the effort it takes to maintain good relationships. At best, many relationships today, amongst God’s people, remains on a superficial level. The few friendships that do exist often end up turning into clicks with exclusive membership. This ought not to be within the local church or within the body of Christ in general. Jonathan is a prime example of what true friendship looks like. It was evident by Jonathan’s dedication to David that he was not a “fair-weathered” friend. When David was at the height of his favor with King Saul, Jonathan made himself a friend to David (1 Samuel 18:1). When King Saul was seeking to kill David, Jonathan remained a faithful friend to David. Here we find David on the run, and even though David tests Jonathan’s loyalty in verses 1-3, he does not have to wonder where Jonathan is in this great time of need. Based on the friendships we claim to enjoy with others, what kind of friend are we? Do we make ourselves available in our friends’ times of need, or are we too busy complaining about how no one is there for us? Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” If we expect to make friends and keep friends, we must make ourselves the kind of friend that others can depend on. I say this with caution, as there are many who would take advantage of such kindness and suck the life out of us, but that is why we must be friends who are wise in what kind of friend we are to others. If we prayerfully ask the Lord to show us who is in need of a faithful friend, the Lord will lead us to them. I know that we will not be friends with everyone, but we can certainly find a friend or two whom we can fellowship with and encourage. What we will find, if we truly make the effort, is that when we become a faithful friend who sees others through thick and thin, we will not only find a friend, we will find a brother. Proverbs 17:17 tells us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” I have found, personally, that some of my closest family members have not been the members of my earthly, biological family, but my brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a special bond that we share when we know the Lord and when we sacrifice whatever necessary to be there for each other during trying times. Jonathan did not abandon David in his time of persecution and need, even though the one who was pursuing him was Jonathan’s own flesh and blood. The love and friendship that these two shared was as great as it could be humanly speaking, but there is One who is a Friend and a Brother who will always be with us through good and bad. His Name is Jesus. In John 15:13-15, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” In Hebrews 2:10-11, the Word of God tells us that Jesus is our Brother, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” In Hebrews 13:5 God promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is ultimately the Friend and Brother who will see us through all tribulation, will not abandon us, and will never be a “fair-weather” Friend. We are commanded to love one another as He has loved us (John 15:12). That means that we are to lay down our lives for one another, if needed. This was the friendship and brotherhood that Jonathan and David shared. This is the kind of friendship and brotherhood that world should see amongst God’s people. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).