Tag: true friendship
Miserable comforters!
Scripture reading for May 23rd: Job 15-17
I had a friend whose twin brother had cancer. This friend was a newer Christian and we belonged to a church that was into the hyper-faith message. Some in the church told my friend that if he had enough faith, his brother would not die. In a few months, the brother did pass away and some told him it was because of his lack of faith. Their words were not comforting.
Isn’t it amazing how we can see the faults of another person and feel we have the solution! Theologians and students of the Bible often become proud concerning what they know and forget that what they are studying is God’s heart and His way! Job’s friends again attacked his character and accused him of a lack of understanding of God. (Job 15:3-5) Job was told that his sin had caused his mouth to be crafty and deceitful. He was accused of being impure and therefore under God’s wrath. (Job 15:30)
Job’s response to this further accusation was to label his friends “miserable comforters”. (Job 16:2) Job needed encouragement and understanding. He needed someone to pray with him and seek God’s help. Job was in despair over these latest accusations and the trouble he was experiencing. He wondered why God had shattered him and broken him. He stated that his advocate was also on high and his witness was in heaven. (Job 16:19) Job knew that although his physical state was broken, God still loved him and would help him.
I realize that I have been the “miserable comforter” to some! It is easy to have glib answers and quote standard Bible texts. God wants us to have His heart of compassion for the hurting and downcast. We must listen to them and hear their heart. Often this is the best thing we can do! We must allow the Holy Spirit speak through us and address the real needs as He alone knows. My prayer today is that I would be sensitive to each hurting person that I encounter and that God would use me to be a true friend!
True Friendships!
Scripture reading for March 22nd: 1st Samuel 20-23
I had a best friend named Kendal. We were in the same class at the same school from kindergarten until our junior year of high school. We camped out during the summer and loved to hunt birds and fish. We often shared our hearts with each other. Kendal was drafted into the Army and went to Vietnam. I went to college and enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. Kendal gave his life serving our country and I served as a pall-bearer at his funeral! Best friends are hard to find but even harder to loose!
David and Jonathan were best friends. The Scripture records their love for each other and how their hearts were knit together. (1st Samuel 18:1-4) Jonathan was King Saul’s son and the probable heir to the throne of Israel. David was a shepherd whom God had selected to be the next king of Israel. God placed David in Saul’s court to prepare him for his kingship. Jonathan recognized the favor of the Lord on David and they became best friends. They made a covenant that would bind them to help each other and their families.
King Saul was jealous of David’s reputation and was afraid of David’s anointing. Scripture says he was tormented by an “evil spirit from the Lord”. (1st Samuel 17:14, 23) David played his harp for Saul to comfort him. Saul tried to kill him on several occasions and David was forced to flee. Jonathan always tried to patch things up. Real friends are there through thick and thin!
Finally, David realized that King Saul meant to kill him. Jonathan tried one more time sooth his father, but was himself attacked with a spear! Jonathan sent David away with tears and reaffirmation of their friendship. (1st Samuel 20:41-42) When he could, Jonathan would slip away and meet with David. He always encouraged him in the Lord! (1st Samuel 23:15-18)
We have a friend like Jonathan in our Lord Jesus Christ! He is faithful and true to us, even when the going gets rough! We can call on him at any time and he will come. He will warn us of danger and help us to either face it or escape. He is a friend by covenant and promises to help our descendants as well! Praise the Lord–He has called us friends! (John 15:15-17)
True Friendship!
Scripture reading for March 23: 1st Samuel 20-23
When I was in school, I had a “best friend” named Kendal. He and I were in the same class at the same school from kindergarten until our junior year of high school. We tried to sit together and play together at recess. His father was a farmer, like mine, and we had a lot in common. We camped out during the summer and loved to hunt birds and fish. We had a great time, and often shared our hearts with each other. Kendal was drafted into the Army and went to Vietnam. I had gone to college and had enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. Kendal gave his life serving our country. I had the privilege of being a pall-bearer at his funeral! Best friends are hard to find, and even harder to loose!
David and Jonathan were best friends. The Scripture records their love for each other and how their hearts were knit together. (1st Samuel 18:1-4) Jonathan was Saul’s son and the probable heir to the throne of Israel. David was a shepherd and musician who God had selected to be the next king of Israel. God placed David in Saul’s court to prepare him for his kingship. Jonathan recognized the favor of the Lord on David and was drawn to him in a covenant love. They became best friends and shared their hearts with each other. They made a covenant that would bind them to help each other and even their extended families.
David’s anointing and the favor of the Lord did not bring love for him from King Saul, however. King Saul was jealous of David’s reputation and was afraid of David’s anointing. He was insecure and tormented by an “evil spirit from the Lord”. (1st Samuel 17:14, 23) David played his harp and the evil spirit would leave for a time. The evil spirit would return and sometimes turn murderous towards David. Saul tried to kill him on several occasions and David was forced to flee. Jonathan always tried to patch things up or help his friend. Real friends are there through thick and thin!
Finally, David realized that King Saul was going to kill him. Jonathan tried one more time to patch things up, but was himself attacked with a spear by his own father! Jonathan sent David away with tears and reaffirmation of their friendship. (1st Samuel 20:41-42) When he could, Jonathan would slip away and meet with David. He always encouraged him in the Lord! (1st Samuel 23:15-18) Jonathan maintained friendship even when he knew his own father was out to kill his best friend.
We have such a friend as Jonathan in our Lord Jesus Christ! He is faithful and true to us, even when the going gets rough! He provides encouragement and shares his armaments with us! We can call on him at any time and he will come. He will warn us of danger and help us to either face it or escape. He is a friend by covenant and promises to help our descendants as well! He is benevolent and can be trusted to do us good all of our lives! Praise the Lord–He has called us friends! (John 15:15-17)