Loyal Friendship
And it came to pass… that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. — 1 Samuel 18:1, 3
What a wonderful example of a friend’s love and loyalty! Jonathan’s own father, King Saul, was trying to kill David who had been anointed to take Saul’s place as King of Israel. But Jonathan remained devoted to his friend, David, even though it meant giving up his own legal right to his father’s throne. Jonathan’s friendship and undying loyalty to David saved David’s life and prepared the way for him to take his rightful place as God’s chosen king for God’s people.
Too many people in the world today know little about the kind of steadfast loyalty and love Jonathan showed to his beloved friend, David. They know even less about the unconditional love of God — the kind of love that abides and endures through changing times and the stormy winds of adversity and uncertainty.
People everywhere long for relationships motivated by such a love. And in the midst of the chaos and unpredictability of the world today, God has made a way through Jesus Christ for each of us to have that kind of a relationship with God Himself!
Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 KJV). He then went on to say, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15 NKJV). Jesus initiated the greatest friendship man could ever know when He willingly came to earth and laid down His life to redeem every person from sin and from the clutches of Satan. Jesus’ act of unconditional love proved once and for all His commitment to befriend man.
The Bible says Jesus is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and that in Christ, nothing can separate us from His great love (Romans 8:39). There is no safer place to find a refuge of peace, rest, and tranquility in the midst of life’s storms than with Jesus, your Beloved Friend.
We live in a time when one has to chose his friends so wisely. You must be wise in who you follow. The good news is that you can follow Jesus. He will be a faithful friend to the end. He will be the most trustworthy and loyal friend you could ever have. He stands by His promises to fulfill them.
You can begin this relationship with Jesus Christ by accepting Him as your Savior and Lord. And you can continually enjoy communion and fellowship with Him by desiring His matchless companionship and by drawing near to Him through His Word. If you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
To know Jesus better is the trust Him more. The more you know about Jesus and His love for you, the more you will come to rely on his faithfulness and embrace Him as your Beloved Friend.