Bonding: What it means to be a REAL FRIEND!FRIENDSHIP is the rainbow between two hearts sharing seven colors: feelings, love, sadness, happiness, truth, faith, secret & respect.-Anonymous
Someone somewhere in the world felt like expressing the meaning of friendship. According to this anonymous quote, friendship is connected or bound by eight characteristics; feelings, love, sadness, truth, faith, shared secrets and respect.
When a true frienship is melded or linked by these characteristics it is bound to stay together. In the word of God there are many types of relationships that are bound and linked by many negative and positive characteristics. In the book of First Samuel, David and Jonathan had a unique and special bond. As we look at the meaning of what it means to bond this month, David and Jonathan's relationship in the bible display a bond, bound by feelings, love, sadness, happiness, truth, faith, shared secrets, and respect.
Jonathan and David's relationship was odd in that both were to be successors to the same throne. Since Saul had been named king in the natural order of things Jonathan was next in line to be King. However according to the supernatural order of things, David was to be king. The fact that God had ordained David to be king never hindered Jonathans faithfulness and loyalty to David and their friendship. In fact in 1 Samuel the 19th chapter Jonathan had a great opportunity to kill David to ensure his own kingship. But Jonathan recognized that he would be going against the Sovereign will of God. Hence we discover that Jonathan had faith in God's decision to demote his family from the throne and place David as king instead. Jonathan had faith that when David took the throne that all would be well.
Jonathan did not mind being second place. Jonathan was humble. He had humility. When he had the opportunity to kill his friend, he was loyal. Real friends are faithful and loyal. Real friends trust God and respect God's Sovereign will for their own life as well as the lives of their friends. Real friends show humility and compassion towards one another.
When Saul shared his plans to kill David with Jonathan, Jonathan spoke on his behalf. Jonathan also told David to hide so that he could speak on his friend's behalf. Jonathan was also an intercessor or mediator for his friend. He did whatever he could to work things out for the best outcome for his friend. Real friends intercede or mediate on your behalf for things to work in your favor.
David and Jonathan were able to confide in each other. When David told Jonathan about his father's plans to kill him, Jonathan believed him. This means that there was a strong element of trust between Jonathan and David. Jonathan trusted David till the point that he was prepared to help David in his situation. Real friends trust you and are trust worthy.
Jonathan promised to tell David whether or not Saul meant to kill him and to let him know whether he should continue to go on the run or stay. Jonathan was a man of his word. Real friends keep their word.
Jonathan and David's bond was so great that they made a pact between each other that would last past death.
"As God, the God of Israel, is my witness, by this time tomorrow I’ll get it out of my father how he feels about you. Then I’ll let you know what I learn. May God do his worst to me if I let you down! If my father still intends to kill you, I’ll tell you and get you out of here in one piece. And God be with you as he’s been with my father! If I make it through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend. And if I die, keep the covenant friendship with my family—forever. And when God finally rids the earth of David’s enemies, stay loyal to Jonathan!” Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He loved David more than his own soul!1 Samuel 20:13-17
Jonathan's friendship to David extended beyond jealousy, hate, self gain, selfishness and lust for power. Jonathan respected David as the annointed of God. Even though he could have become familiar with David, he did not allow familiarity keep him from respecting David as God's chosen. Real friends respect the annointing in one's life.
It was a sad occasion when David and Jonathan departed. It was not easy to leave a season of shared happiness and transition into a season of sadness and separation. Real friends feel happiness and sadness together. Real friendships out last separation, tragedy and even death.
servant." 3 And the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet." 2 Samuel 9:3
After Jonathan's death, David kept his word to his friend by honoring his best friend's son, Mephibosheth.
And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered, "Behold, I am your servant." 7 And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always."
2 Samuel 9:4-7
Real friends keep their word even when it seems impossible. They will find a way to do whatever it is that they said.
Real friendships are bound by the very characteristics of God. Jonathan and David had Agape love for one another. Jonathan put his life on the line for David. When he stood up for David his father even tried to kill him, but he stood his ground. Real friends will endure with you in tough times. Jonathan was obedient to the commandment that said that we should love our neighbor as we love our own selves.Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. Jonathan and David endured all things, believed all things, hoped all things and bore all things!
Jonathan and David's friendship actually is a picture of Christ's love for us. Jesus laid down his life for all of us and endured all things for us. Real friends show Agape love towards one another.
The knots that bind Godly relationships include:
Love for God
Agape love for one another
Trust in each other
Faith in God's Sovereign will
Intercession/Mediation
Faithfulness and loyalty
Humility and compassion
Keeping one's word
Respecting the annointing on each other's lives
Experiencing happiness and sadness together
Outlasting separation
Imitating Christ's love for us
A rainbow in the word of God represents God's promise of Grace. God promised Noah that He would never destroy the earth again with water. God kept his promise and graced man with a second chance to experience His love and grace through Jesus Christ. This is not something that God had to do, but something that He chose to do because of His unconditional love for mankind. So be encouraged to form relationships with others that exemplify and show the love of Christ. When it seems you can no longer endure the faults, troubles and trials of your friends, remember the cross and remember what it means to really have Agape love for others. The bond that brings all relationships close and closer is Agape love.
Let yor day Be filled with the love of Christ!
Be Blessed!
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