John Chrysostom wrote: “Such is friendship, that through it we love places and seasons; for as . . . flowers drop their sweet leaves on the ground around them, so friends impart favor even to the places where they dwell. . . . It would be better for us that the sun were exhausted than that we should be without friends.”
There’s no better example of the sweetness of a godly friendship than Jonathan and David’s story. The Bible records that “there was an immediate bond between them” (1 Samuel 18:1).
Friends share a oneness of spirit.
The two warriors established their friendship after David had killed the giant Goliath in battle. Jonathan also overcame great odds in war (1 Samuel 14:6). So they shared the belief that one should risk great odds for a God who could overcome any obstacle.
Their friendship was sustained by the constant renewing of their loyalty to one another (1 Samuel 18:3; 20:16,42; 23:18), as well as nurtured by true expressions of concern. These expressions took the form of gifts as well as guidance. Jonathan shared with David gifts of prominence and practicality (1 Samuel 18:4), and he also shielded his friend by means of warnings and acts of protection (1 Samuel 19:1-2; 20:12-13).
Friends help solve problems and share alternate solutions.
The apex of Jonathan and David’s friendship is found in these words: “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God” (1 Samuel 23:16).
Friends help you find strength in God during the low ebb times of life.
In a world where most relationships are about what I can get, let’s be the type of friend who is focused on what I can give. Jesus, our perfect Friend, told us, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Let’s follow His example.
More:
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Next:
How will you selflessly serve your friends today? How does Christlike friendship bring glory to God?
tony rodriguez on September 8, 2010 at 9:57 am
BEAUTIFUL, INFORMATIVE POST. THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER OF THE FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS. GOD BLESS YOU.
mickeymouse on September 8, 2010 at 10:51 am
Friends are not made . They are only recognized. That may be one of the difficulties for lonely people, they often fail to recognize friendliness of those about them…..
Sandra
mickeymouse on September 8, 2010 at 11:05 am
Something to Share:
Since I have no gold to give and love alone must make amends, my daily prayer is while I live
“God make me worthy of my friends.”
Lamont on September 8, 2010 at 11:45 am
“Friends help you find strength in God”
I’ve found that almost all of my friends are of the world. Wonderful people,in one way or another and i ove them, but definitely people of this world.
Faith is where we meet the fork in the road.
tom felten on September 8, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Lamont, it sounds like you have a lot of friends who don’t know Jesus. What a great opportunity you have to show them His truth and love. May God help you live out 2 Corinthians 5:19-21.
Lamont on September 8, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Tom,
I live in the northeast. Secular humanists and rugged indivualists abound.
edwerd on September 17, 2010 at 8:28 am
This is a strange question, but while we are on the subject,I wondered if anyone knows how the “i” got into the spelling of friend – it is very unusual for the vowel sound that word has in it to be spelled “ie” – just curious. Thank you
hollyanna on October 18, 2010 at 11:00 pm
“Their friendship was sustained by the constant renewing of their loyalty to one another (1 Samuel 18:3; 20:16,42; 23:18), as well as nurtured by true expressions of concern.”
I believe this part is easily forgotten – friends make us feel good – but to truly nurture the friendship we have to consciously make a point to renew that loyalty and nurture through expressions of concern. In friendships, in marriages, in all relationships.
Thank you for this post –