| 1:41 MIN READ |

Who are your friends? Take it deeper, who are your real friends? There’s a difference between someone who claims to be a friend and people who are real friends.

It’s been said that a real friend is someone who walks into your life when everyone else walks out. Real friends are there for you in the sunshine and the rain. They are consistent, reliable, encouraging, and forgiving. They also want the best for you, and work to bring the best out of you.

The Old Testament character, David, had a real friend. His name was Jonathan. The story of Jonathan and David’s friendship is exceptional, especially when you understand its background.

Jonathan was the son of King Saul, the king of Israel. As Saul’s son, he was also the Prince of Israel, next in line for the throne. However, God had different plans. God had chosen David to become the next king. Both Saul and Jonathan knew this and responded quite differently.

King Saul developed deep jealousy and animosity toward David. An angry, murderous spirit entered him. For Saul, there was only one solution to what he perceived as David’s threat — to kill him.

You would expect Jonathan’s heart to mirror his dad’s. Instead, Jonathan embraced David as his friend. He saw the calling of God on David’s life and decided to do everything he could to protect David from his father, so he could reach his God-desired destiny.

This is a real friend! He put his life on the line for David. He was present, supportive, and committed.

The Bible speaks of the blessing of this kind of friend in Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Choose to be a Jonathan-kind of friend to others!

Pastor Dale

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