True Friends and Brothers

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. 1 Samuel 20:31

Back in 2014, in the immediate aftermath of my addiction coming to light, I didn’t have a lot of people to whom I felt I could turn. It’s not that everyone turned on me. Rather, I was just so ashamed and embarrassed that I didn’t want to interact with anyone. I did have a couple of close friends though, brothers really, who met with me, drove me to treatment, and who were there when I got out. It couldn’t have been easy for them. I’d lied to them just like everyone else. I was a mess, and it had to have been uncomfortable simply being around me. Supporting me was inconvenient and unpleasant, but they were my friends, and they showed up, sacrificing their time and love when I needed it most. Those were – and still are – authentic friends and brothers.

This is the kind of brotherly love displayed by Jonathan, son of King Saul, in today’s passage. In the story, as Saul sought to kill David, Jonathan protected him. Previously (1 Samuel 18:1), we read that Jonathan loved David as himself – They were friends and brothers. So, when Saul plotted to kill David, Jonathan opposed him. It couldn’t have been easy for Jonathan to defy his father and king, but doing so cost him more than just their relationship. As long as David lived, Jonathan would never inherit his father’s throne. Jonathan support of David meant that Jonathan could never be king. Because of his love for David though, Jonathan was willing to make this sacrifice. That is a true friend and brother.

Now, daily seeking to live by faith and recovery, I want to be that kind of friend and brother. I can’t be super close with everyone, but I do have a few friends with whom I still meet weekly so that we may support each other. We’ve all got life trials, and we’ve all got our struggles. Those burdens are lighter when we share them though, and so I meet with my brothers regularly to do so. It may not be convenient, but they need me just as I need them. The road of faith and recovery isn’t easy, but it’s certainly more difficult when I try to walk it alone. If I want my life to go in a certain direction, I must surround myself with those who want their lives to go in that same direction. Life is a battle, but it’s far better if I do it with true friends and brothers.