FRIENDSHIP EXPLORED

FRIENDSHIP

Have you ever been under duress for the call of your life and had a friend stop by to say hello?

We try to put our best, “everything is okay”, face on for the moment, but our emotions and feelings seem to always get the better of us. As we talk to and listen to our friend a peace starts to flood our hearts and God inhabits the moment to give us a new heading. We start to find ourselves looking at our circumstances a bit different. The new light truly is an awaking experience that new life to our dry and weary bones. I love God for this reason and truly love how He loves me by giving me Jesus and those close in my life that follow hard after Him

The greatness of our Father is do just that, send a friend that would stick closer than a brother. Someone that would be invested in who were are and how we are doing. Isn’t it interesting how often these encounters are always perfectly timed for our time of need. God loves his children and expects them to care for one another just as Christ.

Here’s a story of friendship and betrayal that might compel both dark and light in your life.

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 17

55  Now as Saul watched David going out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the general in command of the army, “Whose son is that young man, Abner?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, O king, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this boy is!”

57 So when David returned from striking down the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. He still had the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” David replied, “I am the son of your servant Jesse in Bethlehem.”

Point 1

Sometimes, leadership is threatened by the next best thing that comes along to take his or her place.

Have you ever said,

It’s my rightful spot that I’ve earned and put the work in for. I deserve it. Yes, we do. We deserve death for the sin and flesh life that we choose to live.

Romans 6:20-23 tells us,

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ro 6:20–23.

Let’s read on,

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 18

Saul Comes to Fear David

18 When David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life. 2 Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with the rest of his gear, including his sword, his bow, and even his belt.

5 On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul’s servants.

6 When the men arrived after David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women from all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they played their tambourines and three-stringed instruments. 7 The women who were playing the music sang,

“Saul has struck down his thousands,

but David his tens of thousands!”

Point 2

Honor is a rare commodity.

Jonathan recognized the great ability that David had to lead but even more so he saw the purpose of God in David’s life.

It’s been said that in this life we may make many acquaintances but few true friends. Have you ever wondered why this is?

Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Friendship is work! In fact, all relationships are. Between the miscommunication, the loss of time due to a busy life and failed commitments, relationships can become strained longing for revitalization. The real question is, are we willing to not be lazy and put the work in to have effective life changing relationships. It is always and forever the fall of man to take the easy way out. But if we will start recognizing the God purpose in each other and help build each other up in our most holy faith a change will come to us all.

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Johnathon was one of these that would lay down his life for David in a way that would change David’s life forever.

Point 3

Jealous Much?

Restate:

6 When the men arrived after David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women from all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they played their tambourines and three-stringed instruments. 7 The women who were playing the music sang,

“Saul has struck down his thousands,

but David his tens of thousands!”

Continuing:

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 18

8 This made Saul very angry. The statement displeased him and he thought, “They have attributed to David tens of thousands, but to me they have attributed only thousands. What does he lack, except the kingdom?” 9 So Saul was keeping an eye on David from that day onward.

10 The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied within his house. Now David was playing the lyre as usual. There was a spear in Saul’s hand, 11 and Saul threw the spear, thinking, “I’ll nail David to the wall!” But David escaped from him on two different occasions.

proverbs 14:30 “A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.”

According to a Fox News report, “the 2021 United States murder rate is estimated to be nearly as high as it was 25 years ago, when more than 19,600 people were killed nationwide, according to statistics shared in a recent report.

The murder rate was estimated to be 6.9 murders per 100,000 people in 2021- just 0.5 lower than the 1996 murder rate of 7.4, according to FBI data examined by data analyst Jeff Asher and shared by the New York Times. It’s the closest the nation has come to the high-crime scourge of the early 90’s.”

Foxnews.com

In an article by worldpopulationreview.com, the top 10 countries with the highest murder rates(per 100k people) are,

El Salvador, 61.7 percent

Honduras, 41 percent

Venezuela, 49.9 percent

United States and Virgin Islands, 49.3 percent

Jamaica, 56.4 percent

Lesotho, 43.6 percent

Belize, 37.8 percent

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 36.5 percent

Saint Kitts and Nevis, 36.1 percent

South Africa, 35.7 percent

Ec 7:9 “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

Jas 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Leadership must learn to trust those who would follow. Saul’s lack of peace in Saul’s heart was built by the envy he had towards Israels future king. The relationship that could of been so intimate, life changing and culture building was stripped away by pride of life. Our culture is one that has many Saul’s, full of pride and arrogance, ready to tear down instead of building up.

Lord help us to repent from these wicked ways and turn once again to You in all Your ways.

Point 4

Anger turns to Fear

Fear turns to Death

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 18

12 So Saul feared David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 Saul removed David from his presence and made him a commanding officer. David led the army out to battle and back. 14 Now David achieved success in all he did, for the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how very successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he was the one leading them out to battle and back.

17  Then Saul said to David, “Here’s my oldest daughter, Merab. I want to give her to you in marriage. Only be a brave warrior for me and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul thought, “There’s no need for me to raise my hand against him. Let it be the hand of the Philistines!”

18 David said to Saul, “Who am I? Who are my relatives or the clan of my father in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 When the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she instead was given in marriage to Adriel, who was from Meholah.

The Plot Thickens

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 18

20 Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul about this, it pleased him. 21 Saul said, “I will give her to him so that she may become a snare to him and so the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Today is the second time for you to become my son-in-law.”

22 Then Saul instructed his servants, “Tell David secretly, ‘The king is pleased with you, and all his servants like you. So now become the king’s son-in-law.” 23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words privately to David. David replied, “Is becoming the king’s son-in-law something insignificant to you? I’m just a poor and lightly esteemed man!”

The Wicked Heart Revealed

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 18

24 When Saul’s servants reported what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Here is what you should say to David: ‘There is nothing that the king wants as a price for the bride except 100 Philistine foreskins, so that he can be avenged of his enemies.’ ” (Now Saul was thinking that he could kill David by the hand of the Philistines.)

God desires the best for all His people, but many times His people don’t know what His best is. We think that God is a god of blessing only, but some of the best work in Christ’s work on the cross is one of correction. God truly did not leave us to be orphans in the wilderness but the resounding glory is to not want to still be lost orphans(Jesus Island). When we chose our ways above God’s ways it will always bring correction in the dominion of who our Father is and always will be. If we don’t first humble ourselves to God and to each other we will always and forever be lost in all our ways.

Proverbs 22:4 “By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.”

The story of David’s faithfulness to Saul’s every command made him into the king that Israel needed. But this promotion of kingship was only found first in the humility to follow.

Lord, let us all find this humility and compassion for one another even on the hard days and long nights.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO MAKE FRIENDS

One of Gods greatest hopes for us all is to be one body of believers in love with Him and each other.

Conclusion,

Today, I leave you with some scriptures and a final prayer to ponder in your hearts and minds.

Proverbs 27:9 “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.”

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

A prayer for Friendship,

Lord Jesus, Thank you for giving me such a vibrant community of friends to do life with. I praise you for the people you have blessed me with, the ones who have come alongside me to love, encourage, support, and uplift me through all the twists and turns of life. I’m so grateful that I do not have to go through life alone, but that you have shown me examples of your love through my dear friends.

I pray that you would be present in my friendships, that you would be drawing us together in deeper community with one another toward greater unity with you. I pray that you would help heal any places of brokenness or discord in my friendships that have fallen apart.

Like Your word says in Colossians 3:12-13, may I clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. May I be patient with my friends and may I forgive freely like you have forgiven me. May I shine your light in my friendships, giving glory to you through all that I say, do and think. Jesus, thank you for my friends. Thank you for the ways they build me up and remind me of your goodness and faithfulness. In your name I pray, Amen.