Here are a few lessons from Scripture on how to be a good friend.
First, care for your friends‘ souls as much as you care for their externalcircumstances and vice-versa. - P27
Notice John‘s words to Gaius: "I praythat you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you,
even as your soul is getting along well" (3 John 1:2). - P27
Second, payattention to God‘s hand in your friends‘ lives as He forges their faithand character. Rejoice and encourage them as you see God‘s masterpiece
take shape in their lives. - P27
Take example from John the Baptist,
who rejoiced to see Jesus‘ ministry take flight. - P27
And third, activelypartner with God to help equip your friends so that they may grow ingodliness and in the exercise of their gifts. This is what Jonathan didfor David when he gave him his sword, his belt, and his bow. - P27
Godlyfriendships require intentionality and, often, self-denial. So, ask Godfor open eyes to see how your partnership with Him in your friends‘ lives helps them flourish. - P27
Father, thank you for the friends You have placed in my life that spur me on toknow You more. - P27
Help me to remain faithful to Your calling and to encouragefellow believers to serve You with all their hearts. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P27
[NIV] 10 The next day an evil spirit from God cameforcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house,
while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saulhad a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying tohimself, "I‘ll pin David to the wall." But David eludedhim twice.
[NLT] 10 The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and hebegan to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did eachday. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intendingto pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice. - P28
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was withDavid but had departed from Saul. - P28
15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraidof him.
16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he ledthem in their campaigns.
ful at leading his - P29
An evil spirit comes upon Saul, and he throws a spear at David, but Davideludes him. Saul is afraid of David because he knows that the Lord has left himbut is with David. He sends David away to battle, and David leads the troopswith great success. - P29
Seeing how successful David is, Saul is afraid of him, butall Israel and Judah love him. - P29
It is important to note here that the "evil spirit from God" does notsuggest that God is somehow in league with Satanic forces. Rather, theBible makes clear that God has sovereign control over all things, includ-ing calamity and human sin. - P30
Here, Saul is clearly at fault in wanting tokill David with a spear, but God is also ultimately in control over hislife, and David‘s, too. - P30
When we take on the biblical worldview of God‘ssovereign rule over all things, this is the greatest deterrent to anxiety anddespair. - P30
If we trust that nothing can happen outside of God‘s perfectlywise plans, then we can be confident that He will make all things workfor our good. - P30
David‘s success breeds more than jealousy within Saul; the king beginsto fear him. Saul‘s fear stands in stark contrast to the love David receivesfrom the people. - P30
Saul fears David because he sees him as a threat. Inthe same way, we can have an unhealthy fear of God if we see Him assomeone who punishes us by taking away good things from our lives.
- P30
Unless we are convinced of God‘s grace and the forgiveness we havein Christ, we will always keep God at arm‘s length and refuse to turnto Him. - P30
This is why John writes that "perfect love drives out fear" (1John 4:18). May we always rest in the Father‘s love so that we can enjoyabundant life in His presence. - P30
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