the blessings of a friend

Today's Reading:
1 Samuel 20-21
Psalm 34

It's been said, that...
If you have one true friend you have more than your share.

What a blessing it was, then...
that David found such a friend Jonathan.
The very son of his enemy, King Saul.

Although we know little about how they met,
or how much time they truly spent together,
Jonathan simply seems to have an almost supernatural love
for his friend David.
And I wonder if it isn't an added blessing from God
to help David endure
the almost supernatural hatred from King Saul.

Now Jonathan again caused David to vow,
because he loved him;
for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
1 Samuel 20:17

When David could not understand why Saul sought to kill him,
Jonathan seemed to always be there
to give David comfort,
to let him know that someone was on his side.

Even though David was anointed to be the next king...
leaving Jonathan lacking as an heir to the throne,
this loyalty and honor between friends remained strong,
and without bitterness, fear or jealousy.

Surely this was God's doing...
this friend, Jonathan, who loves at all times.

And I wonder sometimes of the wisdom of Solomon...
for he was David's son.
Could it be, that some of the marvelous things he wrote
he learned from his father David...
recollections of his past?
A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
Could this be how David described his friend, Jonathan...
as he told his son of his adventures long ago?

And what about this...
Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
Proverbs 22:11 NLT
Could it be, that Jonathan loved with a pure heart
and gracious speech...
making a covenant of brotherhood with his friend David...
anointed to be king?

As I ponder this friendship, I should ask myself...
What kind of friend am I to those in need?
Have I been such a blessing
when my friends face hardship and trials?

Is my heart pure and loyal?
Is my speech gracious?

Am I a gift... a blessing to another,
as Jonathan was to David.

Word of God,
train me, today...
to yield a gracious heart to You, a servant in friendship to those in need,
to tender my heart if a friend is in need,
that I may be giving, loving, and speaking kindness from You.

Lord,
I thank You for friends you've given me.
For just considering them,
will sometimes make me weep.

You have been more than generous
to entrust me with such blessings.
The woven hearts that entangle mine
lifting, learning, loving, 
through trials and heartache...
through joy and laughter.

These are the blessings I count today.