Daily Devotion: A Genuine Friend Till the End

Scripture:
2 Samuel 9: 1-13
Main Verses:
2 Samuel 9: 6-7
6 When Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son and a grandson of Saul, approached David, he threw himself on his face out of respect.
“Mephibosheth!” David said as he greeted him.
“Hello! I am your servant,” he replied.
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David reassured him, “because I’m going to show gracious love to you in memory of your father Jonathan. I’m going to restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you’ll always have a place at my table!”

Observation:
David is an example of a genuine friend till the end. Even after the death of Jonathan, he honored his covenant with him and kept their friendship till death. As king, he became busy with his responsibilities, but he never forgot about the good deeds that Jonathan did for him so as part of keeping his covenant with him, David called for his servant to ask for Jonathan's remaining relatives. David wanted to repay Jonathan for his kindness by showing compassion to any remaining relatives. If we remember, Jonathan was the son of King Saul, his enemy, the king who wanted to kill him. David could have ordered everyone connected to Saul killed as was the custom in the olden days to prevent rebellion, but he didn't. He kept his promise with Jonathan and was loyal to him till the end. David has no use for Mephibosheth because he described himself as a "dead dog," but David was compassionate and blessed Mephibosheth. Such was the kind of friendship he had with Jonathan. He gave back Saul's land to Mephibosheth and treated him like his family.

Application:
It is hard these days to find true, loyal friendships. With the advent of social media, sometimes we immediately accept friendships with people we barely know. It seems that the word friendship has been relegated to mere acquaintances rather than those deep, faithful relationships that "sticks closer like a brother (Prov. 18:24). 

There is only one kind of friendship in this world that lasts. One that you can trust. One that is unconditional and loyal. And that is Jesus' friendship with us. May David's and Jesus' examples of friendship be an inspiration to us. May we form true, genuine friendships that may last forever.

Prayer:
Father, I would like to experience the kind of friendship that David and Jonathan had. One that is both blessed and a blessing to others. AMEN.