22nd March 2023

My forever friend

‘You are my friends if you do what I command you.’
John 15:14 (ESV)

The British singer-song-writer, Charlie Landsborough, released a popular song in 1994 entitled, ‘My forever friend’. ¹  The chorus of the song reads:

He’s my forever friend
My leave me never friend
Through darkest night
to rainbow’s end
He’s my forever friend.

When interviewed about the song on Radio Ulster some years ago, he unashamedly said that Jesus Christ was his friend. This was more than just a nice sentiment – he believed that statement with all his heart! He credited God for his musical talent and the amazing breaks he’d achieved in record sales and TV appearances. I was most impressed with his courage and sincerity, when hearing that interview.

A definition of the word friend I read at one time went something like this: ‘A friend is someone who understands your past, believes your future, and accepts you today the way you are.’ In other words, just someone you can safely trust and confide in. To have a friend like that today is nothing short of a blessing!

A classic, biblical, example of intimate and enduring friendship is that of David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul of Israel. After David’s victory over Goliath and subsequently the Philistine army, the two men’s friendship and respect for each other deepened. (Contrast this with the jealousy and hatred that Jonathan’s father, King Saul, developed over time towards David.)

The story commences in 1 Samuel 18:1, 3-4: “As soon as he [David] had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.”

Jonathan knew that God had big things in store for David, and he was willing to defer his own royal privilege and prestige to support David’s future. What an unparalleled act of friendship, humility and self-denial! Jonathan even risked his own life to protect the life of David when he knew of his father’s plot to kill David! This account reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 15:12-13, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

God has hard-wired us humans to desire, and to share, love and friendship with others. 

Unfortunately many seek affection and friendship in all the wrong places and end up disappointed. The Proverbs tell us that, ‘A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ (Proverbs 18:24). That friend is Jesus Christ, God’s Son, whom we love and obey (John 15:14). Let’s build on this friendship, knowing that Jesus will never leave nor forsake us.

Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us and calling us your friend. We are grateful for the promise that you will never forsake us, no matter what life throws at us. In your name we pray, Amen.

Study by John Magowan

¹ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDK8S50Wd00

About the writer:
John Magowan attends the Lisburn congregation of Grace Communion International, Northern Ireland.

Local congregation:
Lisburn Grace Communion
Ballymacbrennan School House
129A Saintfield Road
Lisburn
BT27 5PG

Meeting time:  
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Bob Beggs
Email:lisburngracecom@gmail.com
(www.grace-ni.org)

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church