Friends are a blessing from God, and cultivating friendship requires individual effort as well. As it is written in Proverbs 18:24, "A man
who has friends must himself be friendly, but there
is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." We are not "close" to brothers and sisters by virtue of having the same parents, sharing a room, or having grown up together. We can be distant or detached from people who live in the same house as we do! But if we want friends, it falls to us to be the kind of friend we would appreciate ourselves. Friendship is not restricted to a handful, for even Jesus called His disciples friends. If Jesus was not above cultivating friendship with sinners, let us not be so proud to scorn friendship with others - especially of the household of faith.
This morning I read through a list of notable people during his reign in Jerusalem. Here is portion of the list in 1 Chronicles 27:32-34: "Also Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king's counsellor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion. 34 After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king's army was Joab." As king David had many counsellors, for in counsel there is great wisdom. Jehonathan was a scribe and counsellor, and Ahithophel was also an adviser - business associates one could say. Abiathar was a priest, and Joab was the general of the army. But the person who stood out to me is Hushai, "the king's companion." It is amazing the king would have a companion, someone he spent time with as a friend.
The friendship forged between king and subject withstood the test other relationships failed. Ahithophel turned against David and sided with his usurping son Absalom who sought his life. The priest Abiathar and general Joab supported Adonijah's rise to power behind David's back, disregarding the will and command of the king. Yet through it all Hushai was a valuable friend who risked his own life for the good of his friend and king. His relationship with the king was greater than respect for David's calling or position ordained by God but Hushai valued his person. Christians and especially pastors have a need of friends of this kind where there is trust without suspicion, transparency without fear, and delight in companionship which goes both ways.
How happy was David to have a friend like Hushai, and blessed beyond measure is the man who makes Jesus Christ his friend. The most profound and lasting friendships are those formed in the shared fear of the LORD and obedience to His Word. In a world of superficial "friends" and "likes" profound friendship is found through a relationship with God and enduring friendships which spring from this one. Jesus has not held back anything from us, and may we not hide from the One who sees and knows all. Through His demonstration of love on the cross for sinners and patience with His disciples we are provided a perfect picture of the kind of friend we ought to be. As Hushai was a companion of David, may we be towards our King and other friends in His name.
This morning I read through a list of notable people during his reign in Jerusalem. Here is portion of the list in 1 Chronicles 27:32-34: "Also Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king's counsellor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion. 34 After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king's army was Joab." As king David had many counsellors, for in counsel there is great wisdom. Jehonathan was a scribe and counsellor, and Ahithophel was also an adviser - business associates one could say. Abiathar was a priest, and Joab was the general of the army. But the person who stood out to me is Hushai, "the king's companion." It is amazing the king would have a companion, someone he spent time with as a friend.
The friendship forged between king and subject withstood the test other relationships failed. Ahithophel turned against David and sided with his usurping son Absalom who sought his life. The priest Abiathar and general Joab supported Adonijah's rise to power behind David's back, disregarding the will and command of the king. Yet through it all Hushai was a valuable friend who risked his own life for the good of his friend and king. His relationship with the king was greater than respect for David's calling or position ordained by God but Hushai valued his person. Christians and especially pastors have a need of friends of this kind where there is trust without suspicion, transparency without fear, and delight in companionship which goes both ways.
How happy was David to have a friend like Hushai, and blessed beyond measure is the man who makes Jesus Christ his friend. The most profound and lasting friendships are those formed in the shared fear of the LORD and obedience to His Word. In a world of superficial "friends" and "likes" profound friendship is found through a relationship with God and enduring friendships which spring from this one. Jesus has not held back anything from us, and may we not hide from the One who sees and knows all. Through His demonstration of love on the cross for sinners and patience with His disciples we are provided a perfect picture of the kind of friend we ought to be. As Hushai was a companion of David, may we be towards our King and other friends in His name.
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