Hello everyone, I hope you’re all fine by God’s grace. Lately, we studied the friendship between David and Jonathan. It all started with a question “Are you David or Jonathan? “. The first part to answering that question was “I am Jonathan“, in which we highlighted how he behaved as a friend. I hope a good number of you were able to identify in that, or at least learn from it in order to become a better friend.
Today’s post, titled “I am David” is the title chosen to highlight how David behaved as a friend. I hope some of us will identify in his behavior, or at least learn from him.
When we look at the friendship between David and Jonathan, we may have the impression that Jonathan is doing all the work. He’s the one who loves David at first sight, he’s the one who initiates the friendship, he’s the one who always helps David out when he is in danger. Anyone looking at this situation, or being in the position of Jonathan, could say “It looks like David is always taking and never giving” . How many of us say or think this about our friends?
“Why is this friend of mine always obtaining from me and never giving?”
“Why am I always the one making the first move for him/her?”
“Why am I the One spending the most on him/her?”
“Why am I always giving and never receiving?”
“Why is he/she always taking from me but never giving?”
Has it ever crossed your mind that your friend may just be like David?
Has it ever crossed your mind that your friend may not even be in a position of giving? Has it ever crossed your mind that your friend (just like David) may be in such a great trouble that their hearts may be full of love for you but the situations they’re going through may not permit them to do anything for you other than just accept your love?
Now you’ll ask, “How do I know that this person is my friend for real and not just acting like he /she doesnt do anything for me because they really can’t?” “How do I know whether it’s really because they’re in a difficult position, that they aren’t as generous as I am?”.
You can’t really know, until it’s their turn. You can’t really know until it’s their turn to be up and you “down”
You can’t really know until it’s their turn to do a favour for you.
You can’t really know, until they return a favour to you.
Actually, that’s exactly what David did. This is so honourable and we should all learn from him in this. We may not be able to offer to our friends all that they offer to us, but when time comes and that we can do something for them (or for their family) let’s do it. (It doesn’t have to be financially, it’s just about returning a favour out of love). It’s all about showing them with what we are and what we have, that we love them in spite of everything and that we notice all of their efforts.
2 Samuel 9:1, 7-7, 11 NIV
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my Lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
David was so determined to being loyal, that he returned the favour (not to Jonathan because he was dead already) but to Mephibosheth(Jonathan’s son). David who once was a shepherd and also the servant of a king and the best friend of the prince, was now king and he treated that prince’s son with love, just as Jonathan did for him.
We can learn two big things from David.
- Demonstrate your love and affection towards your friends
- Be loyal to them: return the favour.
Finally, it’s worth noting that, we are the David of some of our friends, and for some others we are their Jonathan. Likewise, at times they are our Jonathan, and at other times we are their David. There are periods during which we just can’t give time, affection, attention, présence, gifts etc to our friends, periods where we face troubles or are so needy and self-centered that we don’t even realize but they’re present for us. There are also periods where it’s that turn to be that way and we’re the ones providing for them. The most important is to be present for each other, in love and in The Lord.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Prayer
Eternal Lord King of Glory, teach me to be a faithful and loyal friend in every circumstances, in the ups and the downs, at the mountain tops and in the valleys. In Jesus Christ’s Name I pray. Amen
God bless you all.
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Thanks for reading.
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