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Day by Day - 1 Samuel
The Ministry Of Friendship
Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 16, 2024
Show Day by Day
Feb 07, 2024
Duration:
00:03:26 Minutes
Views:
111
depression friendship relationships

Scripture

1 Samuel 23:15-18

In times of desperation and exhaustion, we need godly friends to lift us up.   ~~~   How many friends do you have? You may have hundreds or even thousands on social media, but honestly, how many friends do you have? And as you are thinking about that, how many people consider you a friend? And I guess even before you answer the questions, you have to define what a friend is? Is a friend simply an acquaintance? Or Your ride or die? Someone with whom you share a common interest or experience? I guess the truth is that friendship is a sliding scale. You have friends, and then you have best friends, and then you have lifelong friends. Some people have a lot of friends, and some keep a tight leash on whom they may describe as friends. But the reality is that we all need them. We all need relationships. We all need some form of fellowship. And within the family of faith, within the church, we are called to be friends, but even more than friends—we are called to be brothers and sisters, a bond that we willfully enter into for the cause of Christ. As we study the Bible this morning, we are going to see the type of friendship/brotherhood that is called for within the church, especially when you are in a crisis. Read text: 1 Samuel 23:15-18 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the Wilderness of Zeiph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.” This is the last time that David and Jonathan would see one another. We have watched this friendship begin, grow, and persevere. We have come to love Jonathan. He laid down his own rights and privileges because he recognized the anointing of David. He put his life in jeopardy to protect and defend David on more than one occasion. And we see him do it again here. This is deep friendship. This is brotherhood. This is the type of friend, brother, church member we should be to one another. Somehow Jonathan knew that David needed to be encouraged. Depression, desperation, exhaustion, confusion, a spirit of giving up, was settling in on David. He was growing tired. Perhaps ready to give up on his calling. Who knows what would have happened in verses 19-29 in the hills of Horesh had not Jonathan showed up when he did? What’s the fellowship of the brotherhood like in your church?

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