“Who is Your Friend?”
1 Samuel 17:58-18:3
Have you ever wondered what caused Jonathan to have such a close-knit friendship with David? Jonathan saw David and saw that he was different than anybody else. He was willing to stand out all by himself with no one around to help him or encourage him. David made a lasting impression upon Jonathan the day that he killed Goliath. David handled himself differently and Jonathan took note of it. Jonathan wanted a friend like David, a friend that:
- Suffered alone – 1 Samuel 17:11, 18, 28-29
David suffered from his family. His own brother made fun of him before others that were there in Saul’s army.
David suffered from his friends. No one stood up for him when his brother was making fun of him. Who knows, they may have even joined in with his brother. He suffered alone but it did not cause him to want to stop fighting.
David suffered from his foes. He saw that the cause was worth fighting for so he stood alone. Nobody battled for him or encouraged him.
- He searched alone – 1 Samuel 17:40
No one helped David pick up the stones that day. He made his choices alone.
David did not have anyone to tell him to read his Bible or to pray. He did that because he knew it was the right thing to do.
David had no one to help him with his choices or decisions.
David picked the right stuff to help him with his battle that day, the right stuff that helped him win against Goliath.
David knew his short comings, and he knew the odds were against him to win; but he knew someone had to shut Goliath up. He knew his sort comings, but he also knew he had someone with him that Goliath did not know about, nor could he see.
- He spoke alone – 1 Samuel 17:45
The statement that David made in this verse rung a bell in heaven. The statement might not have done anything to anyone else, but no one else mattered except God anyway.
David was outweighed in ammunition, but he had God on his side; which in turn outweighed Goliath’s ammunition. Goliath just could not see that he was outweighed.
- He slew alone – 1 Samuel 17:48-50
David went into the battle knowing it was all or nothing. He had to give it his all, or it was nothing; there was no in-between ground.
David was not encouraged when he went to face Goliath, but that did not stop him from fighting and winning the battle.
Going all in had always worked for David because God was always there to deliver him.
- He stirred alone – 1 Samuel 17:52
David stirred the people of God up that they could do it.
David’s victory encouraged others.
David’s victory created joy about the people of God.
David’s victory created unity amongst God’s people.
- He submitted alone – 1 Samuel 17:58, 32
He submitted to Saul by being a servant. He said he was a servant, but then he showed it.
David submitted himself to Saul.
David was taught submission from his father.
- He was saluted alone – 1 Samuel 18:1
David went from keeping a few sheep to the king’s house.
David became a hero that day.
David was recognized by Saul.
What kind of friends do we have? Are they the kind that is willing to stand alone? What kind of friend are we? We should be a friend, and choose friends that know God. Be a friend that is willing suffer alone. Are we willing to stand for what is worthy to stand for if no one else stands with us? Are we willing to stand even when others make fun of us? Be a friend that searches alone. We don’t need to wait on someone to tell us to read our Bible and to pray. We should do that one our own. We should search out those things that are right for us that will help us win the battles in our life. We should be willing to speak alone. Speak up for the Lord and for what is right. When we cannot do it by our self, we have someone with us that this world does not have. When our heart has been torn out, we have God. We should also slay alone. We need to fight with everything that we have. We need to go all in or nothing. We need to fight whether we are encouraged or not. We can still battle even if no one encourages us. If our giant is bigger than God, it is because we are saying that we can’t. We should also stir alone. We should stir others up in the Lord. When we have a victory in our life it will encourage others. Our victories will help others to fight. It will create joy and unity in the house of God. We also should submit alone. If we have to serve alone, then we should serve alone. We need to be the servant that God wants us to be. Are we a friend that knows God? Do we have friends that know God? Will our friends help us through the hard times in our life? Do you desire to be someone’s friend? What kind of friends do you have, and what kind of friend are you?