Project 52 | Week 14: What is a friend?

What is a friend? 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a friend is one attached to another by affection or esteem.

I was encouraged this week by David and Jonathan's affection and esteem for one other in 1 Samuel. Two very important aspects of friendship stood out to me while reading about David and Jonathan:

1. A friend is someone who will give you the shirt off their back when you need it.

Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. - 1 Samuel 18:3-4

2. A friend is someone who cares enough to warn you when trouble is near. One who stands up for you and, most importantly, what is right in the sight of God. 

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved by David, because his father had disgraced him. - 1 Samuel 20:3-34

The next morning Jonathan went to David to confirm and warn him that Saul was definitely after him. I so admire Jonathan's love for David...so much so that he was willing to put his own neck on the line to warn David of the potential harm that was to come.

I have been fortunate over the years to develop some pretty amazing friendships. Real friends who would give me the shirt off their back and who care enough to warn me when danger is near...among other things. And for that, I'm grateful. 

I love these people. And I desire to be the friend to them that Jonathan was to David and vice versa.

Wanna know more about my Project 52 challenge?

Read more about it here, here & here.