Created in 2009, Words with Friends has become one of the most popular online games in the Apple store. It’s a multiplayer word game in which players take turns working with words in a way that resembles a crossword puzzle or Scrabble board. One of the fun features of the game is that it allows opponents to exchange messages with one another. The game isn’t only enjoyable and competitive, it also creates a platform to build friendships.

Throughout Scripture we see God’s people participating in the ministry of “words with friends” (Genesis 38:12; Colossians 4:14; 3 John 1:1). Jonathan and David are a great example of what true friends say to each other.

After David killed Goliath and was promoted to a prominent place in King Saul’s army, Saul became jealous and wanted to destroy the young warrior. Saul’s son Jonathan, however, had developed a deep friendship with David. It was no shallow friendship built on empty words—it was a relationship solemnly bound together by words of deep commitment. In this covenantal relationship, one of the strongest words Jonathan and David used was love. Jonathan was said to have loved David “as he loved himself” (1 Samuel 18:3). David called Jonathan’s love for him extraordinary, surpassing the love of women (2 Samuel 1:26).

Jonathan’s words and actions fostered a friendship so deep that he voluntarily gave David his place as the heir apparent to the throne of Israel—handing David his robe, armor, and sword (1 Samuel 18:4, 23:17).

We live in a culture where friendships are built on superficial and conditional words. As followers of Jesus, may we build our relationships on words that have deep and high relational value: love, commitment, empathy, time, and integrity.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 23:1-6