[Life Of David] Four Attributes of God-Honoring Friendships Sýnishorn

Sacrifice 

There are many important attributes in every God-honoring friendship; one of them is sacrifice. Looking at David and Jonathan’s friendship, there is an aspect of sacrifice in their friendship. It says in the Bible that they made a covenant together, a mutual agreement in which they pledged to care for each other’s needs and interests. It is much more than just saying something like, “Hey, man. Do you want to go get some food? Let’s hang out and watch a football game.” It was the kind of statement that says something like “I am going to be here for you and you are going to be here for me. We are going to have something really neat here in this connection.”

What David and Jonathan had was like a band of brothers going through war. If you ever heard about the veterans of World War II, some of them reunite on the beaches of Normandy, and there is a bond there for all of them, like a band of brothers. There is something about going through a trial together. David and Jonathan went through a trial. 

Saul is Jonathan’s dad and he is trying to kill David. However, David and Jonathan are bonding together in that same moment, saying, “I have got your back, you have got my back, and I am going to sacrifice for you. I am going to place someone else’s needs over my own and over my own well-being.” That is really what friendship is about, right? To consider others more important than yourself. Being able to sacrifice for one another. This is where friendship is really formed, in those sacrificial relationships. 

What was the sacrifice in David’s and Jonathan’s friendship? When Jonathan gave David his clothing and military garb, he was recognizing that David would one day be the king of Israel. He was not envious or jealous. He submitted to God’s will and sacrificed his own right to the throne. 

When we are motivated by love, sacrifice comes naturally. Jesus Christ not only taught this, but He modeled it. He paid the ultimate sacrifice of dying for us on the cross. Jesus sacrificed His life for us because He loved us so.

My prayer for you today is that you can accept and honor Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, that you can honor the sacrifices your family and friends have made for you, and that you will be able to make sacrifices for them.