Friendship. It’s universally desired but can be surprisingly hard. 

I’m not talking about the number of friends you have on social media. 

I’m not even talking about your social group who might end up on a sports team or at a dinner party together. 

I’m talking about the one or few friends with whom you share a mutual devotion like the Bible describes between David and Jonathan. 

“…Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life.” —1 Samuel 18:1

Scripture describes the affection, loyalty, and sacrifice between these two men. For the sake of his friend, Jonathan plotted behind and rebuked his father, King Saul. Jonathan and David’s bond was thicker than blood. 

What makes these types of friends different from others? 

They know you.

Not superficially, but these friends know your dreams and your dirt and your drawbacks. And they stay and love you anyway. 

They show up. 

Sometimes they show up in person. Sometimes they show up with phone calls or texts. Regardless of the separation created by time, distance, and global pandemics, they’re ready to help when you need them. 

They pray for you.

They intercede for you and ask God for your protection, your health, your success. 

They speak truth into your life. 

When I think about my closest friends, I’m completely overwhelmed by God’s kindness in planting them in my life. His mercy and grace are continually evident in the ways they love and encourage me. My faith is stronger because of their influence in my life. 

Likewise, I am devoted to them. I would raise their children without hesitation. Their burdens weigh heavily on me, and their successes are genuinely celebrated. 

This is not to say that a friendship will ever be perfect. We are sinful people and we are not immune from doing selfish, callous, mean, envious things. Satan also recognizes how friendship is precious and he tries to create stress, which strains our relationships. 

The difference in these close relationships is that you recognize they are worth fighting to nurture and fighting to save. They are worth the hard work, worth the apologies, worth the rebuilding, worth the sacrifice. 

Let me say this, too: I know some people reading this are lonely. Maybe you don’t have a true friend during this season. I’ve felt alone in a crowded room before, too. Know that we want the Love God Greatly community to be a welcoming, safe place where you can build authentic relationships. You are welcome here.

I pray we would each be and have intentional, loyal friends.

Have you purchased your Friendship Bible study journal yet? Not only will you find all of the daily reading passages and SOAP journaling pages, but you’ll have each of the daily devotions in printed form–no need to check the app on your phone while working through your study!

Don’t forget, the Bridge Reading Plan is only available in the printed journals! The Bridge is a two-week long reading plan designed to bridge the gap between two studies. In the Friendship journal you’ll find the Bridge Reading Plan along with two weeks of SOAP journaling pages and daily Scripture reading! Don’t miss this! The Bridge reading plans will walk through the entire Book of Psalms during 2021. This plan is found only in the study journals, so grab one today! You don’t want to miss out!

When you purchase a journal, you are helping us reach women around the world with the gospel. By purchasing a journal you help our incredible team of volunteer translators build up leaders around the world. Your journal purchase allows women to read God’s Word in their native language and have access to quality Bible study materials in the language they best understand. We hope you’ll join us on our mission to make God’s Word accessible to women in every nation and in every language!

Order Friendship and Friendship for Kids journals here!

 

Sara Stevens

Sara Stevens

Sara is a West Texas girl. She delights in the daily chaos of raising and discipling her four young children. She is a physician, specializing in MRI imaging. Sara is an encouraging friend, intentional at developing authentic relationships. She has a heart for supporting women and families, and she is passionate about Bible translation.

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