Your Daily Devotional for March 4, 2006

March 4, 2006

 

Friendships During the Trials of Life

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? What is mine iniquity? And what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so. And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, there is but a step between me and death.”

1 Samuel 20:1-3

 

King Saul was intensely jealous of David and sought to kill him. Jonathan, Saul’s son, made him promise that he would not take David’s life. Still, Saul attempted to kill David. It was during this stressful time, that the close friendship of David and Jonathan was greatly tried.

 

David must have had many questions. “What is going on with Jonathan and his family? Jonathan knows about the king’s plans. Could he be a part of Saul’s evil agenda?” Sometimes stress can cause us to become paranoid and delusional in our way of thinking. Whether David was to that point or not, he was certainly wondering what was going on in the life of his friend. Yet, even in this time of stress when Jonathan could have said, “David, you are delusional—you don’t trust me,” Jonathan showed grace. Jonathan was a true friend.

 

In this passage, David is expressing his fears and concerns to Jonathan. The truth is that honesty about fears and anxieties does not have to ruin a relationship. Actually, it is important for the health and well being of a relationship. Husbands, your wives should be able to ask you some difficult questions that should not affect your marriage. If there is a covenant, there should be a willingness to converse and be gracious even when tough topics are being discussed.

 

You really don’t know how strong a relationship is until a trial comes. I have some close friends that I labor with, I don’t have to sit around and wonder if they love me and if they are still my friends. When in the battle, I have looked around and seen who was there beside me cheering me on. You see, a true friend will not leave you guessing about their loyalty.

 

Do your friends faithfully stand beside you in the midst of trials? Are you a loyal friend who can be counted on during hard times? Let’s purpose today to surround ourselves with relationships that are Christ honoring and gracious—that stand the test during the trials of life.

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