Friend by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

Friends are important. To have a friend, we need to be a friend. There are casual friends, solid friends, and best friends. Family can be friends. Neighbors can be friends.

Friends normally think the same and feel the same about certain things. Have similar likes and dislikes. Same beliefs. Political affiliate or religious conviction. Close friends stand for the same things. Friends align with and protect each other.

I have numerous friends. Some are closer than others, dearer to my heart. Close friends can live far away, but the bond of love is still strong and special. I’ve had a few best friends over the years. Moving many states away can cause drifts in a relationship where you become not as close as you once were. I still think of them with warm fuzzies.

Special friends develop when you talk often and share deep things. Those are rare. The kind that, no matter what, you know they have your back. A love is created and rooted deep. They will go on their knees for you in prayer. Friends will lift you up. They stand up for you. Friends say nice things about you even when you aren’t there. They don’t gossip about you.

King David in the Bible, had a best friend. Long before David became king, Jonathan, the current king’s son, loved him. Jonathan protected David and stood by him. He gave him gifts and encouraged him. They were BFFs (best friends forever). Unfortunately, their forever was cut short when Jonathan got killed in a terrible battle.

Later in the Bible, we are introduced to Hushai.

In 1 Chronicles 27:25-34, there is a list of names of people and their positions, or jobs in King David’s kingdom. These officials represent all kinds of positions, from treasuries to field and crops to livestock to advisers and concludes with Joab, the commander of the army. I zeroed in on the last part of verse 33. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.

All the important people doing important jobs in the vast kingdom and one special name a recognition of a closeness to the king. A friend. We don’t know his size. His background. His likes or dislikes. We don’t know if he was a good athlete or a puzzle man. Could he bake a soufflé, or did he make great coffee? What about his family? Married? Apparently, he had a son who became one of Soloman’s governors. (1 Kings 4:16)

How long had they known each other? We see a scattering of his name in small clips in the storyline. The Bible tells us he was loyal to David. We know he mourned by tearing his clothes and putting dirt on his head when Absolom rebelled against his father David and tried to take his kingdom away from him. David asked him to go back and be his eyes and ears and help advise Absolom in the wrong direction. (2 Sam.15:32-37) The story continues in 2 Samuel 17, where we see Hushai did what he promised and thwarted Absolom.

Hushai seemed to be a good friend to David. He was instrumental in getting David back on his throne during Absalom’s rebellion. A steadfast friend sticks with you through thick and thin. Hushai risked his life by going to Absolom. He could’ve been killed. Love for his friend took him to the center of the battle.

Hushai is a good example of what it means to be a friend. He would’ve given his life for his friend.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John15:13 nlt)

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1John3:16 nlt).

Jesus is the ultimate friend. The ultimate Savior. He willingly went to the cross to die for humanity, for you and me. He loves us so much that He took the penalty for our sin. His blood covered our sin. Then He conquered death. His death and resurrection are what paradise in heaven is all about. He is the only friend, Lord, and Savior we need.

Earlier I said, family can be friends, and neighbors can be friends.

Strangers can be friends.

Strangers have been the friend that died for others on the battlefield.

Jesus died for you before you knew of Him. He was a stranger to you, yet He gave His life in the most brutal way. You were on His mind when He died for you. He wants to be your BFF. Do you know Him? He is waiting to be your friend.