Bible Passage: “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.” (1 Samuel 23:16 NIV)
Scripture Reading: John 15:1-17
Think of a few men who you used to be friends with.
What happened?
Perhaps you moved, changed jobs, stopped going to that gym, and/or your kids weren’t friends anymore. Maybe you went to college together, and then college ended.
Occasionally, friendships break up, but usually we just drift apart. The thing we had in common, which was the basis for our relationship, went away or changed.
The staggering truth of Scripture is that the Creator of this vast and complex universe doesn’t just want to save us and lead us; He wants us to be His friends.
Just before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus challenged His disciples to remain in Him as a branch remains in the vine. He told them that God is glorified when their lives thrive and produce fruit. He told them to love (see yesterday’s devotional), and He told them His desire for them was that their lives would be filled with His joy.
Then He told them that they were His friends and proved it by dying for them (John 15:9-15).
For men to be friends, we need something in common. Shared hobbies, pursuits, and/or geography are great aspects of a friendship.
Shared friendship with God is the best foundation I know of for binding men together.
I’m blessed to have a number of great male friends. The heart of most of those relationships is our shared friendship with God.
Like Jonathan with David, these men have come alongside me in times of trouble and helped me “find strength in God” (1 Samuel 23:16).
We challenge and encourage each other, and even confess our sins to one another.
We also laugh at fart jokes and feast on smoked meat to the glory of God.
We’ve prayed together, shared the Gospel together, and relaxed on beaches together.
We have many things in common, but the biggest and deepest thing in common is a serious pursuit of the God who calls us friends.
The best foundation for good friendships between men is a shared friendship with God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to grasp anew that You call me a friend. Show me where I can encourage other men in their faith, and I ask that You bring men into my life who will help me love You more, too. Bond us together and help us to enjoy friendship with You and each other. Amen.
Reflection: What is it that you have in common with your best male friends? Have you ever experienced a deep friendship with other men where the biggest thing you have in common is the serious pursuit of God together? Do you want that? How might you pursue it?
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