Who Needs Friends??

Well as Apu Nahasapeemapetilon needs Quick-E-Mart, I too would sing from a rooftop and howl, "I do~" to needing friendship.

I've been reminded by my good friend that a truly intimate friendship is that established by a bond of covenant. This biblical covenant is more than a strong commitment by mere humans. It is powerful and potent as it invokes the very witness of God whose integrity is perfect. His name is Faithful because God is a covenant-keeper, and He is also the final Judge and Arbiter of the ratified covenants . So to invoke His Name is to put one's very life on the line. Also, you have to be certain in the first place that a covenant is in accord with God's own decree. Jonathan loved David "as he loved his own soul", and covenanted their friendship. [1Samuel 20:12-17]. How? Why would they? Well, their commitment is based on God's movement among His people. Jonathan had witnessed the clear hand of God on David, and trusted the godly spirit they shared. So at great personal risk, at the cost of even His own life and throne, Jonathan the Prince served his shepherd-warrior friend. David may be considered the greatest King of Israel, but the king-maker was the actual rightful heir to the throne. This was a friendship based on the greater movement of God, and it takes prophetic insight and deep conviction to enter into such a costly commitment. David was not the only one who foreshadowed Christ. Jonathan was a friend who stuck closer than a brother [Prov.18:24], in fact, more like His Savior!

Who needs friends? We all do. We feel the deep longing. But, can we truly invite another into a deep and intimate commitment? On what basis? What are you committing together? These questions may seem lofty, but in Christ, they are actually very grounding. If we are pursuing Jesus and His Kingdom together, then we can covenant ourselves to one another. It is based on His will and pleasure; and along the way, we reap together the blessings of love, intimacy, joy and sheer fun and thrill. Who's with me?