"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.'" ~1 Samuel 23:15-17, NIV
Often times when we look to the Bible to find examples of friendship, we find ourselves coming time and time again to David and Jonathan. It's no wonder why: their friendship didn't get weaker when Jonny's dad, King Saul, decided to kill David; it grew stronger. And as we can see from the above verses, they are very good examples for how our friendships can be.
Put yourself in David's shoes. You've been working faithfully for your employer (king) for however many years, winning his battles and making his company (kingdom) prosperous. God has anointed you the next CEO of the company, but you don't mind waiting until your employer retires; after all, you feel like you can do a lot more for the company while you're out in the real world anyways. Thanks to you, the company is flourishing, growing, and becoming very much more than stable. And yet, despite all of the work you uncomplainingly do for your employer, he fires you. Not only that, but he decides he's going to kill you.
That was Saul: jealous and terrified of David. How different from Jonathan!
That's where we're coming from in these verses. David's hiding from Saul because he doesn't want to get killed. He's confused, and hurt that Saul wants to kill him. But look at what happens next: "Saul's son Jonathan went to David and helped him find strength in God." Ladies and Gents, that is friendship as God wants to see it! (In my opinion anyways, I'm not God.) It's Jonathan who reminds David of God's will for David's life, it's David's friend who reminded him that God was taking care of him. He didn't need to be afraid; God was his strength and God would see His plan through.
Today, I'll be a Jonathan reminding you, "Don't be afraid! God does have a plan for you and if you follow Him He will follow through on all of His promises. He promises to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) He will guide you wherever you are. (Psalm 139:9-10) And He loves you. (John 3:16)"
If you're feeling down or scared, I recommend finding a Jonathan figure in your life - someone who knows and loves God, and who sees you much the same way God does. And when they're down be a Jonathan for them - remind them what it says in God's word, and what that means in their life. Jesus may be the most important friend we'll ever have, but He gives us many of said friends so that we can spread His love in a real way.
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