Friendships

In 1984, the rap group “Whodini” came out with a song entitled: “Friends”
The beginning lyrics were as follows:
Friends, How many of us have them?
Friends, Ones we can depend on?

This song has a question – How many of us have them?
These days it is easier to call someone our friend than have them be our friend.
For years, I made the mistake of thinking I had friends, yet they were acquaintances.

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) “A friend is always loyal (NIV: “loves at all times”), and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

What best describes a friend?
The following passage of Scripture gives a very good description of a friend.

1 Samuel 23:15-17  While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”

Vs. 16: Jonathan went to David
A. Effort – Jonathan went to David. He found him, tracked him down. He took initiative.

Vs. 16: Jonathan helped David find strength in God.
B. Elevate – He helped him focus on what is most important, not on his problems.
Association(s) determine my elevation or my devastation.

Vs. 17: “Don’t be afraid,” he said.
C. Encourage – Jonathan put courage into David.

Vs. 17: You will be king
D. Envision – Jonathan gave David a vision of who he would become.

To find a friend ~ be a friend (follow A – D above)