Friendship

“Thou shalt be king...and I shall be next unto thee.” ~ 1 Sam. 23:17

The throne was Jonathan’s by birthright, but he chose to step aside for his friend. He promoted David at his own expense. He took pleasure in the advancement of his friend. He desired his friend to be preferred before him. Being near David—just sitting next to him—would be satisfaction enough.

Jonathan was a much better friend to David than David was to him. But, of course, David’s need for a friend (like some of us) was greater than Jonathan’s.

I had a friend like Jonathan. His name was Marvin. His was a self-denying friendship. It was a relationship of unselfish love. It could be said of him what we are told of Jonathan: “Jonathan loved him [David] as his own soul.” But, just as God took Jonathan from David, so He took my beloved friend from me. How I miss him! My pilgrimage on earth is not the same since he left for Home.

A Friend is someone who is coming in while others are going out!

Richard the Aged

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