True Friends Came In When We Had No Hope

2 Samuel 17:27-28

The Story

Shobi was an Ammonite. David had fought against his people. But he did not allow the past to cloud his love for David. He became an ally of David.

Machir was a man from Lo-debar who gave shelter to Mephibosheth. He had a tender heart and wanted to reach out to help others. He never forgot what David had done for Mephibosheth. And he gave more to Mephibosheth because he was David's friend.

Barzillai was an old man with plenty of money (2 Samuel 19:32). He was David's friend and he provided David's need.

These three men revealed the true nature of friendship.

They gave without being asked, and they asked for nothing in return.

They gave out of unselfish love.

And they did what they could for their friends.

Lessons

True friends will help us when we are in need.

They will give without being asked, and they will ask for nothing in return.

They will give out of pure and unselfish love.

They will do what they can do for their friends.

Remember...

Sinners have such a Friend in the Lord Jesus!

The Lord Jesus came in when we had no hope.

He gave us what we needed when we needed it.

He did the work of a Savior in our lives.

He gave His all and never stopped to consider the cost or to ask for repayment.

What A Friend we have in Jesus!

True Friends Get You Through

2 Samuel 15:30-37

The Story

Hushai came to David as David was leaving the city of Jerusalem.

He was broken hearted over what was happening to his king and his friend.

But David sent him back into the city. David wanted him to feign allegiance with Absalom. He wanted him to counter the counsel of old Ahithophel.

Ahithophel was David's counselor, but he was also Bathsheba's grandfather. He saw the rebellion of Absalom as an opportunity to get even with David for what he had done to Bathsheba and Uriah.

Hushai did what David asked and he saved David's life (2 Samuel 17:15-22).

Hushai served as David's eyes and ears in the throne room, and he laid his life on the line of his friend. he could easily be a dead man!

But he made up his mind to save David's life.

Lessons

Very few friends will help us in our time of need.

But if we have precious friends like Hushai, we are really blessed.

Remember...

Sinners have such a Friend in the Lord Jesus!

The Lord Jesus puts everything on the line for us.

He places us ahead of Himself.

And He died for us.

What a Friend we have in Jesus.

True Friends Get Hurt

2 Samuel 15:23-28

The Story

Zadok and Abiathar were the priests of God in Jerusalem.

When David fled from his son Absalom, they followed him, bringing along the Ark of the Covenant.

But David decided to send them back to Jerusalem.

Instead of relying on the Ark, David placed his trust in the power of God to deliver him.

David wanted their help to act as spies for him in the city of Jerusalem.

The two priests complied, turned around, and carried the Ark back into the city.

By doing so, they took a great risk, and put their lives in danger.

Lessons

True friends love you and accept you.

They desire to accompany you when you are in danger.

But if you decide otherwise, they will comply with your decision, though sometimes they don't understand you and may not agree with you.

And they stand by your decision, regardless of the risks involved, and in the process of doing so they may get hurt.

Remember...

Sinners have a true Friend in Jesus.

The Lord Jesus died on the cross to save their souls, even when they were His enemies.

The Lord Jesus called them His friends, even when they always act like His enemies.

The Lord Jesus love them, even when they are so unlovable, and often act foolishly toward Him.

The Lord Jesus stands by them, and gets hurt for them!

True Friends Offer Help

2 Samuel 15:18-22

The Story

Absalom had risen up in rebellion against his father and had driven him from the palace and from the city of Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 15 finds David on the run for his life from his own son, Absalom.

David really needed friends who could help him. And 2 Samuel 15-19 tells us about some friends who came to his aid.

One of them was Ittai.

Ittai was a commander of a group of 600 men that came to Israel from Gath in Philistia to follow David.

Ittai stepped up and demonstrated the depths of his love for the exiled king.

He pledged his absolute allegiance to him, even if it meant death for him.

Ittai was a true friend.

Lessons

As we walk through this life, there are few people who will be true friends.

Thank God for our true friends who love us when we are on top and when we hit the bottom.

Many people will only be our friends who everything is well in our lives and when they can benefit from us.

A true friend is one who loves us when we have absolutely nothing left to give.

Remember...

Jesus is a true Friend.

He is a Friend who sticks closer than brother.

He is the One who has said He would never walk out of us (Hebrews 13:5).

He is the One who has told us that He loves us regardless of our current condition (Jeremiah 31:3).

He is a Friend who cares for us when we are up and runs to our side when we are down.

Remember, Jesus is the true Friend!