Friends

And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David...and helped him find strength in God.

1 Samuel 23:16

I wish I had known Jonathan. Scripture does not tell us much about this man, but when I think of him, I envy the friendship he shared with David. We know from 1 Samuel 18:1 that Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

I have few people in my life that are “one with me in spirit”. They are precious, priceless friends that share my world and my worldview. They are close enough to know me well and love me enough to hold me accountable. But one of the dearest things about them is their Jonathan-like ability to help me find strength in God.

There are times in all our lives, when circumstances, fears and discouragements bring us to despair. In the hard days, the long days, the dark days and nights, we need people who can remind us of truth, of hope and of who God is and what He has promised I want to be that kind of friend! Don’t you?

It is easy to hear a prayer request, to listen to a hurt or to learn of a tragedy. It is a hard thing to hold a hand in the hospital, to pray with the broken or to accompany the grieving to the funeral home. True friendship has a cost. It is often inconvenient and uncomfortable. It requires purposeful action and the ability to see from God’s point of view.

A man of unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Lord, make me the kind of friend that sticks close, that loves well and that is willing to pay the cost of true friendship.

Jill Hardin