Fearlessly Courageous
9 11 2023
Desk of Dennis Piller
Personal Prayer Request below.
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Uncommon Friendships – Do you have one?
Today we are going to talk about friendships. In the beginning, when God created each aspect of the universe, He declared it good. The first thing that He declared not good was that man was alone. (Genesis 2:18) So He created a helper suitable for him. Galatians 6:2 instructs us to bear one another’s burdens, and Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to not give up meeting together. We were made for community. George Eliot described a best friend as a “well-spring in the wilderness”, an oasis.
Take time to cultivate your friendships.
Let’s dig into the modern-day application of the relationship between a young David and Jonathan. Jonathan was the son of Saul, king of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah, and Jonathan’s presumed rival for the crown.
This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime friendships. Uncommon Friends. Praise God I have more than a few. Let us observe the relationship between Jonathan and David in 1 Sam 18. The book describes the scene of David relaying the story, his insights, and his feelings about defeating Goliath to King Saul and his eldest son Jonathan. In the spirit of the telling Jonathan became one in the spirit with David and loved him as himself.” 1 Sam 18:1 King James said they were “ lined together…knit together. How does that happen, there was no long duration of time to build up trust and camaraderie between the two. They became uncommon friends with a common bond: The spirit of God.
Perhaps strange to some as Jonathan was said to be 35 to 45 years old while David was only 18.
In 1 Sam 20 1-4 David came to him in a panic; “What have I done to your father that he should want to kill me!?” Jonathon denied it vehemently. Think about this. David accused the King, his father, of trying to murder him. The words were harsh, but Jonathan did not take up the spirit of offense. He didn’t take his words as an insult to his family. Can you hear the elevated tones in this exchange? I am sure the exchange was heated. David came close to holding Jonathan responsible and he was getting defensive!
Their initial words of anxiety, panic, fear, and anger are pretty normal but what was not natural, under the circumstances was the freedom to speak their minds and move on to a resolution without a great incident. Jonathon didn’t believe his dad was trying to kill David, but he listened and acknowledged that David’s feelings were authentic by saying; “Whatever you want me to do. I’ll do it for you vs. 4”
He didn’t necessarily agree with him but he agreed that David was upset
and needed his help instead of his doubt.
Isn’t that an actual test in friendships? Allowing others to speak their fears and frustrations even when we can’t understand? But that is characteristic of uncommon friendships.
The willingness to listen, and let potential insults pass, is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. The bonds of uncommon friends are deeper than the width of their differences.
Can you think of a time when a friend “let you off the hook” when you centered your frustration on them? Would you write it down here and briefly explain it? _______________________________________________________________
You might want to call him to remind him of your appreciation of them.
Uncommon friends can share their hearts without shame. Uncommon friends can be vulnerable with one another and still retain their dignity. Their friendship was far more than emotion it was a safe place to trust and show their feelings. They shared a common goal. The Will of God. Each life complimented the other because of that. They had separate lives but inseparable bonds.
I have struggled at times with an appropriate response when someone has gotten emotional with me or in my face. Have you? What do you think people really need from us when they are extremely emotional? Rom 12:15. “Be happy with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep”.
For those of you who do not have a Johnathon, I would encourage you, God wants you to have one. But the farmer cannot sit on his porch and plant his crop. Neither can you continue to do the same old thing expecting different results. That’s insanity!
God gave us a church and a community to grow with and contribute to. You may have had a bad experience one time or when you went to a church group you were uncomfortable. You must know by now, that we cannot change unless we come out of our comfort zone in any area of life be it business or private. My mom always told me…If you want a friend, be a friend. Go out and start giving yourself away. Start serving and God will begin to open doors. If you continue to persevere, your crop with produce 10…50 and 100 fold. You will find that friend that has escaped you till now because you two will have a common goal. The will of God. You, he, and God. A three-stranded cord is not easily broken.
Help me Lord to come off the porch and seek out this brother or sister you have waiting for me. Help me get out of my comfort zone and dive into the deeper waters of your spirit calling.
Prayer request: I am in the hospital as I write you going in for a Cardiac Cath in the morning. I was told these occasional chest pains I have been getting were mild rumblings of the larger heart attack I had today.
I am told I am safe now but I would appreciate your prayers. I may miss a few of your devotionals this week. I am so thankful for the many friends I have especially those Jonathans who have brought so much quality and strength to my life during the darker times of living.
Pray for God to open the door to meet your own. Seek them out as the treasures they are.
You may not think you need them now
but I promise one day soon you will.
Blessings to each of you for your prayers.
The Father’s House – Cory Asbury (Lyrics)
