Thursday, August 25 – 1 Samuel 20:16-17

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord demand it from the hands of David’s enemies.” And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

The term “best friend” is not a term we throw around for just any person we know. We reserve this term for a person we feel especially close to. This person has a special place in our hearts because of trust that has been built over time. Typically, this is someone who is truly restful for us. When we consider someone a close friend, it is because we feel like we can be ourselves with them, sharing our joys and hurt.

David and Jonathan had a special friendship that did not come easily. Jonathan’s father, Saul, wanted to kill David. David was promised the kingship that was supposed to go to Saul’s line. David and Jonathan had every reason to be enemies, but instead, they were the best of friends. We all crave relationships where we can be known and loved, people we can rest with in times of joy and sorrow, but like with David and Jonathan, relationships like this do not just happen, they require effort. This requires being a place of rest for another through a selfless commitment to love them as we love ourselves. When we want a friendship that is deep and meaningful, it requires a commitment and effort for more than our own interest. It requires dedication to be vulnerable, sacrificial, and loving. Though the steps may seem small and may not always be easy, in Christ we can find rest together in God in times of joy and pain in the authentic community we all crave.

• Who are some of your best friends? What are some qualities that have made them valuable as your friends?
• What are some steps you can take toward having an authentic community of rest?
• Pray and ask God to show you the next steps you need to make toward a community of rest.