The Value Of A Godly Friend
by Bro. Shaun Ogdie
06/13/2023
1 Samuel 18:1-3 – “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Who can overestimate the value of friends? A solid friendship is one of the sweetest gifts that God can give. Perhaps one of the best-known friendships recorded in the Bible was the one that developed between David and Jonathan. Jonathan saw the great victory that God had given David over Goliath and was so impressed that he wanted David to be his friend. Jonathan’s friendship with David was not a momentary excitement, but a growing devotion. David had become a member of the king’s official household, and the more time the two young men spent together, the more solid their friendship became. We find in 1 Samuel 20 that Jonathan pledged his friendship to David even in a time of stress.
It is our responsibility as Christians to make good godly friends, realizing there will come a time for things only a friend can provide. Every Christian needs fellowship to walk daily in our spiritual walk with Christ. Fellowship happens in friendship with others who are in Christ. Solomon said, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17). When those times of adversity come, you will be thankful to the Lord for your godly friends.
What can we take away from Jonathan’s friendship with David?
1. The Criteria of a Godly Friend (I Samuel 18:1-3)
Jonathan saw in David a man of courage, humility, and faith.
2. The Courage of a Godly Friend (I Samuel 19:1-17)
For Jonathan to remain a true friend of David, he would have to stand against his own father.
3. The Commitment of a Godly Friend (I Samuel 23:17)
Jonathan again put his life on the line to stay by David’s side and encourage him during this difficult time in David’s life.
In searching for godly friends, we must always understand that man is human and flesh. Friends will fail you and you will fail your friends from time to time. Be willing to love your friends and forgive them when mistakes are made because, in the end, that is exactly what Christ did for us. He truly is the greatest of all friends.
John 15:15-17, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another."
06/13/2023
1 Samuel 18:1-3 – “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.”
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Who can overestimate the value of friends? A solid friendship is one of the sweetest gifts that God can give. Perhaps one of the best-known friendships recorded in the Bible was the one that developed between David and Jonathan. Jonathan saw the great victory that God had given David over Goliath and was so impressed that he wanted David to be his friend. Jonathan’s friendship with David was not a momentary excitement, but a growing devotion. David had become a member of the king’s official household, and the more time the two young men spent together, the more solid their friendship became. We find in 1 Samuel 20 that Jonathan pledged his friendship to David even in a time of stress.
It is our responsibility as Christians to make good godly friends, realizing there will come a time for things only a friend can provide. Every Christian needs fellowship to walk daily in our spiritual walk with Christ. Fellowship happens in friendship with others who are in Christ. Solomon said, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17). When those times of adversity come, you will be thankful to the Lord for your godly friends.
What can we take away from Jonathan’s friendship with David?
1. The Criteria of a Godly Friend (I Samuel 18:1-3)
Jonathan saw in David a man of courage, humility, and faith.
2. The Courage of a Godly Friend (I Samuel 19:1-17)
For Jonathan to remain a true friend of David, he would have to stand against his own father.
3. The Commitment of a Godly Friend (I Samuel 23:17)
Jonathan again put his life on the line to stay by David’s side and encourage him during this difficult time in David’s life.
In searching for godly friends, we must always understand that man is human and flesh. Friends will fail you and you will fail your friends from time to time. Be willing to love your friends and forgive them when mistakes are made because, in the end, that is exactly what Christ did for us. He truly is the greatest of all friends.
John 15:15-17, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another."
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