15 While David was at Horesh in the Ziph wilderness he learned that Saul was looking to kill him. 16 Saul’s son Jonathan came to David at Horesh and encouraged him with God. 17 Jonathan said to him, “Don’t be afraid! My father Saul’s hand won’t touch you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 Then the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David stayed at Horesh, but Jonathan went back home.
Reflection
King David and Jonathan were such kindred spirits that some theologians thought they were gay rather than truly besties. I’ve had friends like that, not that they thought we were gay, but truly great friends. Friends you could count on. Through good times and bad.
Friends that would challenge you, which leads me to Proverbs 27:17. It says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens a friend.”
I’ve had friends like that and I hope you’ve had them as well. I don’t think I’d be a Christian today without them. But as I get older, they seem harder to find.
It’s probably because of me. But no more.
So, as the new year rolls around, I will make an effort to find a good, or even great friend. I think as Christians, we need them.
God didn’t make solo Christians.
by Rick Reed
For Pondering and Prayer
Lord God, help me to remember all the great friends I’ve had over the years. And help me to find new ones this year, both in New Jersey and Florida.
Prayer: : Almighty One, I simply need to look to the scriptures to see how much we need one another. David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas, and on and on. Christians rarely travelled alone. Help me to find some. They are probably with me right now. And I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
