Post by Don Gieseke on Feb 5, 2016 8:44:05 GMT -6
Friday, February 5
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
The story of Jonathan and David in the Old Testament is well known. It is the story of two friends who illustrate the principle of Proverbs 18:24: friends who are closer than brothers. David and Jonathan weren’t related, yet they committed their lives and resources to one another—something brothers might not do. The basis for their friendship was the covenant they made with one another. In their day, a covenant was the strongest form of commitment. The parties would do whatever one another needed.
Those two words—friend and covenant—are found in the New Testament, too. Jesus Christ initiated a “new covenant” with all who would believe in Him (Matthew 26:28). He also declared, at the Last Supper, that His disciples were His friends and that He was prepared to lay down His life for them (John 15:13-15). That is what we have in our relationship with Jesus—a covenant Friend who promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and to meet our needs if we abide in Him and His words abide in us (John 15:7).
Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you” (1 Samuel 20:4). Jesus says the same to His covenant friends.
How good is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable Friend!
Joseph Hart
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
The story of Jonathan and David in the Old Testament is well known. It is the story of two friends who illustrate the principle of Proverbs 18:24: friends who are closer than brothers. David and Jonathan weren’t related, yet they committed their lives and resources to one another—something brothers might not do. The basis for their friendship was the covenant they made with one another. In their day, a covenant was the strongest form of commitment. The parties would do whatever one another needed.
Those two words—friend and covenant—are found in the New Testament, too. Jesus Christ initiated a “new covenant” with all who would believe in Him (Matthew 26:28). He also declared, at the Last Supper, that His disciples were His friends and that He was prepared to lay down His life for them (John 15:13-15). That is what we have in our relationship with Jesus—a covenant Friend who promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and to meet our needs if we abide in Him and His words abide in us (John 15:7).
Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you” (1 Samuel 20:4). Jesus says the same to His covenant friends.
How good is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable Friend!
Joseph Hart