You've Got a Friend
Today’s Verse:
And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. ~1 Samuel 23:16
What makes a good, long-standing friend to you? Do the people you associate with consider you a good and loyal friend? How far will you go to help a friend? Having friends that you trust and can depend upon at a critical moment is important. This morning, we are looking at a friend who was closer to David than a brother. We are looking at a man who came to David when he needed a friend.
We see that David is running.
“Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.” David was a fugitive trying to escape the wrath of Saul. David was innocent of any crimes and sin, but Saul had an intense envy towards David. Saul tried to kill David on at least two occasions with a javelin. David avoided out of Saul’s presence both times. David is now in the wilderness area of Ziph trying to avoid Saul. Sometimes people run for training. Sometimes people run from their problems. Some people run from their responsibilities. However, we see David running from the threat of being executed as an enemy of the king. David knew that he was outnumbered and did not want to risk the lives of his men. So, David is filled with fear, his judgment is clouded, and he needs help.
We see that David is remembered.
“And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood.” David is not forgotten. Jonathan has been listening to intelligence reports and knows where David is hiding. Jonathan, at great personal risk, goes to the wooded area to be at David’s side. Jonathan’s name means “Jehovah has given.” A friend is a gift from God. A friend loveth at all times. A friend will show himself friendly. A friend lays down his life for another friend. Jonathan was a friend in need! What an encouragement to you and me that God never forgets us either. God sends us a friend at a time of need. When my wife was diagnosed with cancer a second time, God sent a man named Moses Peram to our church to be my friend for one to two months. He was a member of another good church in our state. He did not know that I was at a low point in my life, but God sent him to encourage me. What a blessing it is when God sends us the right people when we need them
We see that David is reinforced.
“And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.” Here is the best part. Jonathan was not there just to give David moral support. Jonathan came to strengthen David in the Lord. When we strengthen the hand of another person in the Lord, we do this with the spiritual tools God has given us. Jonathan helped strengthen David’s hand in prayer. Jonathan helped strengthen David’s hand in the Scriptures. Jonathan helped strengthen David’s hand through godly counsel. A real friend knows how to take you into God’s presence. A real friend prays for you as if your problem is his problem. A real friend is a breath of fresh air when the air around us feels musty and stale.
Jonathan’s presence told David, “You’ve got a friend.” Be a friend to someone, like Jonathan was to David. Be a friend who strengthens another through your life, your prayers, your touch, and your steadfastness. Let someone know, “You’ve got a friend.”
Have a strengthened God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 18-20