Old Friends

“And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” (2 Samuel 9:7)

Hello, my friend…

Today I am feeling rather nostalgic. As we come into this time of the year, many of us remember those people who have been with us, who have walked beside us, who have loved us despite ourselves over the long haul. They have seen us at our best, they have seen us at our worst. They have watched us struggle with personal sins and issues, they have witnessed times of great victory in our lives, they have held us up when we couldn’t stand on our own, and we have had the privilege of returning that favor when the tables turned.

It has been said that, if a man (or woman) has three good friends, close friends, over the course of his or her life, then they have been most blessed. God has been good to me, for I can truly say I have had that many plus a few extra. Each phase of my life has suffered a time of pruning, of cutting away those who were only there for a season. I confess I questioned God when they walked away – especially when I didn’t feel like going on. There were others who came alongside just for the good times. When the times started running a little lean and I needed them, they turned away. Again, through the pain I cried out to God. But I can honestly say I have a handful whom I have known for thirty, forty, and some even fifty years.

We haven’t always been close geographically, but time and space have never separated our relationship. I have a friend I’ll call John (mainly because that’s his name). Now, John and I are on the opposite spectrum of believing in God. I am, for example, an ordained Christian minister. John, on the other hand, is a self-proclaimed agnostic. It isn’t that he doesn’t believe there is a God, it’s just that life has given him many opportunities to doubt His existence and he has chosen to embrace that lifestyle. John knows I love him as a close brother, and I know he feels the same way. We would, literally, lay down our lives for each other if it came to that. If he called me tonight and said he needed my help, I would take the rest of the week off work to drive through the night to stand with him. I have another friend with whom I haven’t talked in over fifteen years; however, if Rick called me and asked for my help, I would drive the sixteen hours it would take to be by his side. These are only two of my brothers for whom I would do this. The last time I spoke with both of these men, we told each other we loved each other before we got off the phone. It was as if we were back forty years ago and nothing had changed.

In our text today, we see David (now King David) reaching out to his brother, Jonathan’s, son Mephibosheth. If you are familiar with the history behind Jonathan and David, you will remember that they loved each other with a love that was deeper than that of a woman. They each risked their lives for each other years prior and pledged a blood oath, a covenant, between them. A covenant such as theirs remains in force as long as any relative of either lives. Jonathan, by this time, had been dead for quite a while; but David actively sought out to discover whether he had any living relatives to whom he could fulfill his part of the covenant in love. Notice, too, that David mentioned Saul in this verse. Again, remembering the history between David and Saul – Saul hunted David like a criminal for months and months to kill him! Yet here we see David acting out of love to fulfill his righteous duties as a man after God’s own heart.

This Christian life is one of duty and honor. It is a life that tests and strengthens our character. We are forged and tempered in the fire of trials and temptations. If we allow Him to, God will patiently and lovingly break us, mold us, melt us, and reshape us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process. Yes, it is also painful. But it is so worth it!

When we allow God to so work in our lives, we begin to see the beauty of His love, the joy of serving Him, and the blessedness of being His hands and feet in the earth. The more we serve Him, the more He allows us to serve. Before you think that is a bad thing (oh great! Another job to do!), consider that our greatest joy, our deepest satisfaction, is to be chosen, to be filled, to have purpose in and for our lives. When we live with purpose, we overflow with joy, peace, love, kindness, and all the fruits of the Spirit. How awesome to know the love of the Father!

Today, my friend, I encourage you to ask God to cultivate this spirit of excellence, this sense of honor and dignity within your life. Make yourself available to Him, allow Him to speak to you, to direct you, to empower you to do acts of service for others. Let Him show you how and where to start. Small at first, sure, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So said a wise man centuries ago – and it is just as true today as it was then. Take the time to recognize those people in your life who have stuck by you through thick and thin, who have been through some things with you, who have given of themselves in your time of need. Thank God for their influence and friendship. Then, if it is possible, I encourage you to either call them, write them, or go sit down with them and thank them in person. Open up your heart and express it the best you can.

We are coming into the Thanksgiving season here in America. Let this opportunity give you a natural opening to show gratitude to those “old” friends and their families. Let their children hear stories of your friendship over the years. Let them know of the struggles, of the fears, of the battles, and of the victories. Most of all, let them see the beauty of brotherhood and true, heartfelt love. Who knows? You may even open the door to making some new friends and begin the journey with them!

Be blessed.