Lesson 4 for the 23 rd of October, 2010

He maintains good communication He helps him in all circumstances He advises him He cheers up him in the Lord He prays for him and with him He intercedes in favour of him He devotes time to be together How does a faithful friend treat his friend? How did Jonathan do all those things with his friend David?

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs, 17: 17) “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs, 18: 24) “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel” (Proverbs, 27: 9) The friendship between David and Jonathan didn’t end with Jonathan’s death. David composed a lamentation in Jonathan’s honour (2 Samuel, 1: 17-27) and also took care of his descendants (2 Samuel, 9)

He trusts God in moments of crisis, although the solution for that situation is beyond his means. Jonathan trusted that God could give him the victory, even when it was humanly impossible for two people to defeat a whole army. “For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel, 14: 6) He seeks the advice of faithful believers. Jonathan asked his armour-bearer for advice because he trusted God. “So his armour-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart."” (1 Samuel, 14: 7) He had not a pretentious faith, but he tried to understand and follow God’s will. Jonathan asked for a sign to be sure that he was doing God’s will. If the Philistines called them to go, they would go; otherwise, they would retreat (1 Samuel, 14: 8-10)

For what reason could Jonathan have to respect his father? In which moments did he show that he respect him?

Saul prepared and encouraged Jonathan to be the next king of Israel. Jonathan had all the necessary qualities to reign better than his father did. He and David became friends, and he found out that David would take his place. How would you react in that situation? Would you still be a faithful friend of the person who will take your place? How would you justify your attitude of rejecting him? A great man according to God is a humble person who accepts God’s plans in his life even when they don’t fulfil his ambitions.

What is the reward for those great men in this life? God doubles his goods (Job, 42: 10) He is nominated Prime Minister (Genesis, 41: 42-44) He dies in the battle without reigning (1 Samuel, 31: 2) He dies peacefully and healthy in his old age (Genesis, 15: 15) He is beheaded in prison (Matthew, 14: 10) Some others were stoned, sawed … (Hebrews, 11: 36-38) “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews, 11: 39-40)

“All who would be soldiers of the cross of Christ, must gird on the armor and prepare for conflict. They should not be intimidated by threats, or terrified by dangers. They must be cautious in peril, yet firm and brave in facing the foe and doing battle for God. The consecration of Christ’s follower must be complete. Father, mother, wife, children, houses, lands, everything, must be held secondary to the work and cause of God. He must be willing to bear patiently, cheerfully, joyfully, whatever in God’s providence he may be called to suffer. His final reward will be to share with Christ the throne of immortal glory” E.G.W. (Conflict and Courage, May 2)