Best of Friends

Best of Friends

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 18:1-16

“After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became best of friends.” (1 Sam. 18:1 NLT)

What does it take to become best of friends with someone?

     My son, Gary, was always coming home and saying, “Dad, I have a new friend.” To Gary everyone he met was a friend. When he was a teenager I never had to worry about his whereabouts, because I knew he was in his room writing letters to the friends he met at summer Bible camps. I believe at one time he was corresponding with sixteen people—most of them girls. It is not difficult to make friends, but it sometimes takes years of sharing experiences before you can say, “_____and I are best of friends.

     Other times, as in the case of David and Jonathan, the best of friends bond is formed immediately. The Scripture says, “And Jonathan made a special vow to be David’s friend, and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.” (1 Sam. 18:4 NLT) Jonathan gave his most important possessions as a token of his love and friendship.

     A best friend is one with whom we can laugh and cry. We feel free to share our deepest secrets knowing they will be kept sacred. Our best friends encourage us and stay close during difficult circumstances. They don’t flee when the enemy attacks. They are willing to come alongside sand say, “I’m here for you!”

     I met and fell in love with my best friend on November 18, 1953 on a YR71 ship at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, and we have been inseparable since that time. His name is Jesus Christ, and he has been loyal and faithful to me just as David was with the king’s son, Jonathan. He has given me so many precious promises that I can’t begin to name them all. One promise that I have relished is found in Hebrews 13:5 where Jesus says, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” Because of this promise I can say along with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Ps. 118:6 NLT)

     Do you have a best friend? One who will stick with you no matter what may come. Is it a spouse? A brother or sister? A classmate? A close neighbor? My wife and I have been best of friends for sixty-one years, but we both agree that our very best friend is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for my two “best friends,” my wife Elaine and the Lord Jesus. I am so glad that I don’t walk through life alone, but that you have placed both best friends in my life so we can travel on our journey together. Thank you for being my best of friends.