Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
July 29th 2022

Who is Your Friend?

A man that has friends must show himself friendly and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 13:1-6

The story is told of a young man, Amnon in II Samuel 13. He was one of King Solomon’s sons and lusted after his half-sister, Tamar. Ammon had a deceitful friend, Jonadab who upon hearing the evil desire of Ammon counselled him to pretend to be sick, then request that Tamar his half-sister prepare his meal and lie with her afterwards. Amnon yielded to the ungodly counsel of his friend and forcefully slept with his half-sister. Although his evil friend was unharmed, Ammon paid dearly with his life for his evil act.

On the contrary, the friendship between David and Jonathan yielded a positive result. Without the friendship between the two, David may not have ascended the throne. Many times, Jonathan had to sacrifice his comfort and even his right as a prince to help his friend David. In fact, David and Jonathan became covenant brothers and the lineage of Jonathan was preserved. From the story of Jonathan and David, we learn that (i) the friends we keep will either make or mar our lives and destinies. Be not deceived, evil communication corrupts good manners 1Corinthians 15:33. (ii) we bear the consequences of our actions and the consequences of our actions may affect other people. Be not deceived, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap Gal. 6:7. (iii) lust is not love and beauty is vain. Proverbs 31:30. Amnon hated Tamar after defiling her. We should guard against deceit as we go about our daily lives. (Deut. 11:16, Luke 21:8, 1Cor. 6:9, 15:33 and Gal. 6:7)

Let the Spirit of God guide you in choosing your friends. God wants us to learn from these examples so that we can avoid their mistakes. Remember, “show me your friend and I will tell you who you are” and the tendency of what you will become. Separate yourself from any unprofitable relationship and align yourself to God totally and wholly. What fellowship can light have with darkness?

Action Point: Take a stock of your friends and relationships and evaluate them. Prayerfully disconnect from the wrong relationships and keep the right relationships.

Intercessory prayer: Lord Jesus I pray that you connect our children to right relationships.

Hymn: There is not a friend like the lonely Jesus,

No not one, no not one