“Don’t Be Afraid”

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

1 Samuel 18:1-4

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

1 Samuel 23:15-18

Jonathan and David illustrate the sweetness of a true friendship. The Bible records an intimate and immediate bond between them. They kept their friendship alive by demonstrating their loyalty to each other, as well as nurturing it by expressions of concern. Jonathan gave gifts to David and watched out for him through many difficulties.

In a world where most relationships are about what we can get, let us be the type of friends who focus on what we can give.

The glory of life is to love, not to be loved; to give, not to get;

to serve, not to be served.

Our Daily Bread – December 18, 2014