Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 14:30, “You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” (NLT)
These are the words of God spoken regarding two men Joshua and Caleb, both of whom were good friends. The question we need to ask ourselves is, ‘Do we have such true and good friends in our lives?’ Often, we don’t take time to choose these good friends. Sometimes we become friends with someone, and get to know who they really are much later.
On the basis of God’s word we will hopefully understand that we all need good friends, and we will also learn as to what kind of friends they must be, so that along with them we will all reach the eternal home that God has prepared for us.
Joshua and Caleb were two leaders amongst the twelve who were sent to spy on the land of Canaan. I believe that the friendship that probably began on that trip lasted for over forty five years up until they reached the Promised Land. This friendship I believe carried on even in the Promised Land because their friendship was based on God and established by their faith in God. The outcome was that both Joshua and Caleb helped each other and upheld each other. Together they achieved great things for God, and also possessed the Promised Land that God had prepared for them.
We read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” (NLT)
When Joshua and Caleb returned from spying on the land of Canaan they brought good news that the land could be easily possessed. Though the majority were of a different opinion, Joshua and Caleb stood by each other. No wonder then that they found favor with God, and also were able to enter into the land of Canaan.
There are those who have many friends, but these are friends only in the virtual world, on social media. In reality they don’t have friends to whom they can talk to or confide in.
Joshua and Caleb had this longstanding friendship for forty five long years and at the end of it we read in Joshua 14:13,“So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land.” (NLT)
These two men depended fully on God, and had a strong friendship that God blessed.
We live in a world where everything has changed so much that reality has been replaced by the virtual. The effects of this virtual world is the fact that we may have thousands of friends virtually who will not be able to help us in any way in times of trouble. Most of these friendships are limited to sharing photographs, and some general information only. As children of God we need friends who fear God, are trustworthy, and those who can give us good advice. In years gone by people used to visit others in person and have meaningful relationships. However, much of this has been replaced by the virtual and online. This applies to playing games or relationships where everything has gradually changed. In earlier years games were played outside and together with others, but now most of the games are played behind closed doors and in solitude.
While this world is constantly changing we have an unchanging God, and the purpose why He created us is so that we should have meaningful relationships that certainly would benefit us much. I wish to share an example of such a friendship from the bible so we can learn some important lessons from the same.
The friendship between Jonathan and David
We read in 1Samuel 18:1,“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (ESV)
There’s a friendship that developed between two young men, and this was between Jonathan who was the son of King Saul, and David who was a shepherd boy. The friendship that blossomed between them was so intimate that this is what it prompted Jonathan to do for David. Jonathan showered gifts on David which were his own personal belongings.
1. A true friend is thankful
We read in 1 Samuel 18:4,“Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.” (NLT)
When I pondered about this I imagined this scene. At the time of the battle with Goliath, Jonathan the son of King Saul must have observed David who must have been clad simply as he was just an ordinary shepherd boy. Goliath was a mighty warrior from the Philistine camp who was dressed with heavy armor that covered almost all of his body and head. David on the other hand had nothing to defend himself, and all that he carried in his hand was a sling with a few smooth stones. There must have been so many thoughts that raced through Jonathan’s mind as he watched David go to battle against Goliath. The Lord was David’s strength, and his trust was in God alone which wrought him, and the Israelites the victory over the Philistines. Jonathan knew that if it were not for David, he, his father King Saul, and all of Israel would have been defeated, and become slaves to the Philistines. No wonder then that Jonathan decided to honor David with things that were personal and dear to him.
He is no good friend who does not have a heart of gratitude to the friend who has helped him in any way. We live in times when people want to use others only for their own selfish gain. There are those who will get close to someone to get a favor done, and once it is over, they will forget about them. If you have been hurt this way by someone, don’t come to the conclusion that you will never get close to anyone or that you do not need a friend anymore. This is a wrong decision, because we must get over our hurts, and seek out those who can be good and godly friends, as there are many such people out there in the world.
The unfaithful friend
There was a man who was with Jesus for three and a half years. He was closely associated with Jesus and went along with Him in all of journeys to various cities and towns to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. This was Judas Iscariot one of the disciples of Jesus. Judas was also given a responsible position amongst the disciples, and was entrusted with the money bag. However, Judas Iscariot decided to betray Jesus. The consequence of Judas’ selfishness is that he lost everything, but Jesus continued on to fulfill the purpose of the Father in His life.
It is good to remember those who helped us along the way, and contributed in some way so we could come to the place that we are right now in. Even if you can’t do much in return, a simple thank you would mean much to them. Let’s keep in mind that a thankful friend is a good friend.
2. A true friend seeks the honor of his friend
By giving all of the gifts to David, Jonathan wanted to let David have the honor that he the King’s son had. Jonathan knew that people probably looked down on David because he was a humble shepherd boy, poorly clad. The love that Jonathan had for David prompted him to give him all that belonged to him, so that everyone would look up to David, and would give him the due honor.
A true friend will give and do all that he can so that his friend can be honored by others.
Few years later things changed when David began to get prominence because of all his achievements. This made King Saul so jealous, and he began to hate David. David recognized this bitterness of Saul, and the one person whom David could confide in was his dear friend Jonathan. Though Jonathan was the son of King Saul, David could freely share his fears with Jonathan, knowing that he would stand by him.
All of us need good friends because sometimes we may make wrong decisions and there are times when we may feel down because of some circumstances. We therefore need friends who can give us wise counsel, who fear the Lord, who have a good testimony with others who can also cheer us on.
3. A true friend takes time to listen
We read in 1 Samuel 20:1,David now fled from Naioth in Ramah and found Jonathan. "What have I done?" he exclaimed. "What is my crime? How have I offended your father that he is so determined to kill me?" (NLT)
David openly shared all of his fears about King Saul to Jonathan. Notice how Jonathan did not make light of it as a figment of David’s imagination nor did he defend his father. Jonathan took time to listen to David’s concerns, and was ready to help him in whatever way he could.
We live in a world that is so busy that people don’t have time to listen to others. Sometimes when we are speaking to them they get distracted with other things, and hence are unable to give sound advice. Even if our fears are small when we share them with friends who truly care for us they will take time to listen, and will not make light of them.
King Saul developed a deep hatred towards David, was jealous of him. The beginnings of Saul was humble, but later on Saul was more concerned about the position he held as King rather than his relationship to God. Saul became more attached to his throne, than to the God who gave him that position.
Remember that when God entrusts us with anything, even if it is a ministry, that it is He who gives us the grace to fulfill the same. At no point should we begin to love our ministry or crave for the position that God gives to us, over God Himself. If we do so we will allow jealousy, selfishness and anger to take control. We may appear to be working for God on the outside, but we will in reality be battling all of these issues on the inside. Jealousy is a strange emotion, it will make us assume and believe the lie instead of the truth. It will lead us into a world of imagination which will ultimately destroy us. Before such a thing happens we must do all we can to wipe-out this jealousy from our hearts.
As Saul sought for an opportune time to kill David, in desperation David sought the help of his friend Jonathan to deliver him from this troublesome situation.
This was Jonathan’s response to David in 1 Samuel 20:4, "Tell me what I can do to help you," Jonathan exclaimed. (NLT)
Jonathan was such a good friend who was willing to help David in whichever way he could.
When we look at Saul, Jonathan and David here’s what we learn about each one of them.
King Saul had a wrong opinion of David and assumed that David, was trying to confiscate his throne from him. This made Saul hunt down David with the goal to kill him.
Jonathan was one who was heir to the throne. Nonetheless, when his friend David was in trouble with King Saul, Jonathan wanted to protect him because he knew that God was with David.
David on the other hand was only trying hard to protect himself, and had no intention to expropriate King Saul’s throne.
These were the three main characters in this story, but the fact is that when God is with someone, no one can prevail over them. When King Saul sought to kill David, the interesting thing is that help came to David from the house of Saul itself through Jonathan.
I remembered another incident in the bible where Pharaoh made huge plans to kill all the firstborn male children amongst the people of Israel. As Pharaoh made all efforts to carry out his evil plan, the Lord did something astounding by sending baby Moses to the palace of Pharaoh to be raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. God’s ways are beyond comprehension. When God binds something no one can untie it. If God wants to elevate someone, no man can bring him or her down, no matter how hard they try.
Our circumstances may change just like David’s. David had a high point when he killed Goliath, but his was followed by a season when he was hated and hunted by King Saul. However, God was with David, and in His time made David sit on the throne as King of Israel.
4. A true friend always wishes you well
We read in 1Samuel 20:16,“So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, "May the LORD destroy all your enemies!"” (NLT)
Just think of this that Jonathan who was rightfully heir to the throne of his father Saul, made a covenant with David and blessed him that God should destroy all of David’s enemies. This in spite of the fact that Jonathan knew that his father was all out to destroy David.
A mark of a true friend is he or she is one who always is your well-wisher who considers your welfare ahead of their own, even if it means that they will lose out on somethings.
Few years later both Saul and Jonathan died in battle, and David became King of Israel. Generally when one sat on the throne it was a practice that they would identify all the members of the household of the king who was against them, and do away with all of them.
5. A true friend seeks to bless at all times
This is what David did as we read in 2 Samuel 9:3,“The king then asked him, "Is anyone still alive from Saul's family? If so, I want to show God's kindness to them." Ziba replied, "Yes, one of Jonathan's sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet." (NLT)
On being elevated as King, we see that David immediately enquired if there was any member of Saul’s family who was still alive so he could show kindness to them. This was because of the covenant that David had made with Jonathan.
That is the mark of a true friend who under all circumstances chooses to bless their friend, and will only do good, and never intend to do any evil.
The men found Jonathan’s son and brought him to King David and this was his response as we read in 2Samuel 9:7,"Don't be afraid!" David said. "I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king's table!" (NLT)
Here was a boy who had lost both his legs, but David as King restored back to him all the property that belonged to his grandfather Saul, and also gave him the honor to eat at His table. This boy’s Grandfather King Saul sought desperately to kill David, but David honored the covenant he had made with Jonathan as a friend. David gave to Jonathan’s son the same honor he gave to his own children, the privilege to eat at his table.
We all need such friends today. If we were to view this from Jonathan’s side, though he was dead the friendship that he had with David that gave protection to his son, even after he passed on. Friendships are such that they can even carry on their blessings even after a friend is no more. God has created us to be in good relationship with others and we should therefore not isolate ourselves or feel we have no one. If we do so we cannot fulfill God’s purposes for our lives. Not only should we seek for good friends we should also be good friends to others.
Jesus our best friend ever
When talking about friendships, if I do not mention the greatest and best friend ever, this topic on friendship will be incomplete.
In John 15:15,we read, “I no longer call you servants, because servants don't know what their master is doing. But now I call you friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me.” (NLT)
Though Jesus was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, He was so mindful of his mother Mary right till the very end. Even in the midst of agonizing pain as Jesus hung on the cross, He was mindful of His mother. There is no one who can be a better friend than Jesus.
Often the religious leaders targeted the disciples of Jesus, and found fault with them. Not once did Jesus let them down. Remember when Jesus is your friend, He will stand by you and will never give up on you.
Sometimes Jesus taught a parable or hard teaching, and the disciples would go into the house and ask Jesus to explain the meaning to them. Every time Jesus was patient to teach them without any rebukes. A good friend will always be available to clarify your doubts, and will not get upset with you.
In the Garden of Gethsemane when the leaders came to arrest Jesus, He made sure that they let go of all His disciples, and willingly surrendered Himself. Jesus will never lead us into trouble, but will lead us along the good path.
Let Jesus be our best friend and the one who takes top priority in our lives. Pray that God will give you good friends, and also make sure that you are such a friend to others. We are not alone in this world, and there is no need to live in isolation. As we do so God will bless us, and use us to fulfill all of His purposes in an
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
