Our Daily Bread 13 November 2019 Devotional – True Friends
Topic:Â True Friends
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Bible in a Year: Lamentations 1–2, Hebrews 10:1–18
Key Verse: A friend loves at all times. – Proverbs 17:17
Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1–4; 19:1–6 (NIV)
Today’s Insight
David and Jonathan shared an amazing friendship. Twice in today’s text we read that Jonathan “loved [David] as himself” (1 Samuel 18:1, 3). Jonathan loved David even though his own father, King Saul, despised him. He looked out for David’s best even when that meant family division and possible detriment to himself. This relationship is seen in the New Testament in the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19).
The Word: In high school, I had a “sometimes friend.” We were “buddies” at our church, and we occasionally hung out together outside of school. But at school, it was a different story. If she met me by herself, she might say hello; but only if no one else was around. Realizing this, I rarely tried to gain her attention within school walls. I knew the limits of our friendship.
We’ve probably all experienced the pain of disappointingly one-sided or narrow friendships. But there’s another kind of friendship—one that extends beyond all boundaries. It’s the kind of friendship we have with kindred spirits who are committed to sharing life’s journey with us.
David and Jonathan were such friends. Jonathan was “one in spirit” with David and loved him “as himself” (1 Samuel 18:1–3). Although Jonathan would have been next in line to rule after his father Saul’s death, he was loyal to David, God’s chosen replacement. Jonathan even helped David to evade two of Saul’s plots to kill him (19:1–6; 20:1–42).
Our Daily Bread 13 November 2019 – True Friends
Despite all odds, Jonathan and David remained friends—pointing to the truth of Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times.” Their faithful friendship also gives us a glimpse of the loving relationship God has with us (John 3:16; 15:15). Through friendships like theirs, our understanding of God’s love is deepened.
Reflect & Pray
Who do you consider a true friend? Why? How is it comforting to know that God is our truest friend?
Heavenly Father, we long for friends. Please open up doors to true, lasting, and God-centered friendships.
See Yesterday’s Devotional Here
Our Daily Bread 13 November 2019 Devotional- True Friends was written by Alyson Kieda ( Our Daily Bread Ministries)
