My title for today’s devotion is Lasting Friendship vs. Fair-Weather Friendship.

One of the stories in the life of David which has always found a soft spot in my heart is the story of Mephibosheth (M for short) in 2 Samuel 9. The story actually goes back years before that when David and Jonathan had a friendship that was and is a “poster child” for friendship. It wasn’t tawdry like some want to make it to justify their perverted lifestyle. It was a friendship born out of a deep love and respect for each other. It was so deep they made a covenant with each other.

Here is some of the history:

• After David defeated Goliath (I Samuel 18), they established a bond. So much so that Jonathan made a covenant with David and took off his robe, sword, bow and belt and gave it to David as a symbol of acknowledgment of their friendship, but also David’s right to be king.
• When Jonathan said he would warn David of his father’s intentions, he asked David to not forget him and his family. (I Sam.20).
• David mourns Jonathan’s death and takes the life of the one who claims to have taken Saul’s life.

But in a strange twist of events in I Samuel 9, David sets out to fulfill his promise to Jonathan. He finds out M, who was crippled when a nurse dropped him while fleeing with him in her arms. (2 Samuel 4:4). David calls M to his house.  He gives land to him that is rightfully his; sets up people to manage it for him; then brings M to his table where he is to eat for the rest of his life.

David never forgot his friendship with Jonathan. It was not a friendship based on fair-weather; it was a lasting friendship that stood the test of time. A friendship reminiscent of God’s with us. Not one based on our good actions which gain God’s approval but one God maintains in spite of our actions.

“I’m thankful, Father, for your constant love and friendship. Your feelings toward me are not based on my response to you because you never change. Thank you for a lasting, forever friendship.”