READING: 1 Samuel 18-20
Today, I write this devotion primarily to men, but I welcome female readers to listen in to our conversation.
Men, the story of the friendship of David and Jonathan is powerful. It’s unusual, in the sense that few men have such deep friendships, but that’s also what makes it potent. The images are strong: they were “one in spirit” (1 Sam 18:1); Jonathan loved David “as himself” (1 Sam 18:1); they “wept together” when they departed (1 Sam 20:41). They covenanted together, with Jonathan willing to give up his right to the throne for David, and David would later take care of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. It is God who called them to a “forever” covenant (1 Sam 20:23, 42); it was He who took them beyond their blood lines to become “brothers” who loved each other, challenged each other, protected each other, and grieved for each other when circumstances necessitated their separation. They modeled what it means to love their neighbor as themselves.
I am reminded today of Kent Hughes’ discussion of the friendship of David and Jonathan in his book, Disciplines of a Godly Man. Particularly, Dr. Hughes talks about the importance of male friendships: “Men, if you are married, your wife must be your most intimate friend, but to say, 'my wife is my best friend' can be a cop-out. You also need Christian male friends who have a same-sex understanding of the serpentine passages of your heart, who will not only offer counsel and pray for you, but will also hold you accountable to your commitments and responsibilities when necessary.”*
It’s hard to deny what Hughes says. Men need other men who know how our messed-up heart sometimes operates, who pray for us, who counsel us, and who get in our face when we need it. Rather than see that kind of friendship as some kind of threat to our masculinity, we need to see that kind of brother-to-brother relationship as a gift from God. Those friendships are few, I’m afraid, but they’re critical and life-transforming. If we have no “forever” male friends, we’re missing out of one of God’s intended blessings for us.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps:
- Even if you don’t have this kind of male friend, you can be such a friend. Be that brother for someone today.
- Ask God to connect you with someone who will pray for you and challenge you.
- Thank Him for men who have influenced your life for His glory.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for the men who have made a difference in my life. Thank you for my friends. Help me to love others as You call us to love them.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 18-20
*Hughes, R. Kent (2007-05-01). Disciplines of a Godly Man (Kindle Locations 990-991). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
