Jonathan’s encouragement was more than “everything is going to be okay.” The verse quoted above literally reads, “He strengthened his hand in God.” Jonathan pointed David upward to the grand perspective which had first drawn him to the shepherd boy. This undoubtedly involved instruction, prayer, and mutual worship. The Apostle Paul experienced similar comfort from his friend Titus: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus . . . so that my joy was greater than ever” (2 Corinthians 7:6, 7).
This is the “Titus Touch” — the golden touch of an encouraging friend. As we have catalogued the beautiful elements of Jonathan and David’s deep friendship — mutuality, love, commitment, loyalty, and encouragement — we have observed that they came largely from Jonathan. But it did not remain one-sided. Repeated mutual commitments began to mark the friendship of these two remarkable men. The apex of their commitment was the mutual promise to care for one another’s family, should one be taken (cf. 20:14-17) — “I’ll take care of yours, and you take care of mine.” They bound their lives and their children’s lives to one another.
Later, when they reaffirmed their promises, “David wept the most” (20:41, 42). It appears that Jonathan’s friendship had drawn David to unexpected heights of devotion. Male friendship has reached Heaven when men make such promises to each other. I treasure a sacred moment when my old childhood friend, married and with family, met my wife and me on vacation in the Colorado mountains and said, after a late-evening meal, “If anything happens to you, Kent, Judy and I will look out for Barbara and the children.” It was a sacredness I gladly reciprocated.
GOD ENABLE US, FOR WE ARE YOUR WORKS, HALELUJAH
References:
The Living Bible
Discipline of a Godly Man( Book by Kent Hughes)
Evangelist Eric Musa:
(My message continuously: If you are not saved: Believe, accept, receive and confess Christ Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and be filled with the Holy Spirit, as it is written; “NOW is the acceptable time, TODAY is the day of SALVATION.- 2 Cor 6:2”. For prayers, devotion, and to support the ministry contact Evangelist on +254722157300 ( Email: EMEA.ericmusa@gmail.com). Remember, God Loves you and I unconditionally, perfectly and always: SHALOM
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