21st February 2022

Above and beyond

“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women. How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war perished!”
2 Samuel 1:26-27 (NKJV)

David and Jonathan were friends. More than mere friends, the text tells us that their two souls were ‘knit together’ (1 Samuel 18:1). It was an unlikely relationship, with Jonathan the crown prince of Israel and David newly called to court, leaving his care for his father’s sheep. Later, when it became obvious that Jonathan’s father, King Saul, was determined to kill David, Jonathan and David made a solemn covenant, where David would be king, Jonathan second in the kingdom, and David would take care of Jonathan’s descendants. (1 Samuel 20).

This was not to be. Jonathan perished with his father, fighting the Philistines, but David did see to the welfare of Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth. David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” (2 Samuel 9:7).

Likewise, Jesus tells us that we are his friends. And it is a friendship like that of Jonathan and David. Our ‘souls’ are to be knit together, beyond the bond of man and woman in marriage, beyond even the bond of family.

In our daily walk with God, as we progress in our understanding and obedience to his loving ways, that friendship with God should be our primary relationship. It’s a daunting task, but well worth any effort to achieve.

Prayer
Our loving Father, you have called us, redeemed us, and given us salvation. Although the fulness of that salvation yet lies ahead, every day we seek in our Christian walk to grow closer and closer to you, into a deeper friendship surpassing even family relationships. In Jesus’ name we pray, seeking your help. Amen.

Study by John Stettaford

About the writer:
John Stettaford is a Minister in the Reading congregation of Grace Communion International

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Reading
Prospect School, Room A1 (Main Building)
Honey End Lane
Reading
RG30 4EL

Meeting time:
Saturday 11am

Local congregational contact:
John Stettaford
Email: reading@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church