REPOST Today’s QT Devotional—first posted on June 3, 2015—is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Valuing Friendship”
2 Samuel 23:13-17
During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.
The state of California has this thing called “transitional kindergarten,” which is basically an extra year of kindergarten for kids who are months too young for regular kindergarten. What is interesting is that in San Francisco, transitional kindergarten is not done at the elementary school where the kids will eventually matriculate—meaning, just because kids are in the same school for TK doesn’t mean they will be in the same elementary school. As a result, my son will be separated from his “bff” (as they call each other) next year. My wife and I are heartbroken over this, but I think we are taking this worse my son is.
One of the unique attributes of King David that we see in the Bible was his ability to draw people to himself—to make friends if you will. Although we do not often think about David’s mighty men as his friends, these men were drawn to serve David out of a love that resembled friendship more than a sense of duty that soldiers have for their king—why else would these three men risk their necks to make this incredible water break? (As an aside, husbands, if your pregnant wife asks you to make a “craving run” and you don’t want to do it, think of this story.) David also is to be admired, for he understood and respected their commitment and service and did the best thing he could do with such a humbling gift—he devoted it to the Lord.
While at GCC, Pastor Young probably spoke on or mentioned the value of Christian friendships at least every month or so. Sheepishly, I must admit that it has taken me almost 20 years to start to take to heart what he was talking about. I’ve always had friends, but I think in my younger years, I relied on them less and trusted in myself more. As I am getting older, and the stakes in my life get bigger and bigger (marriage, kids, ministry, etc.), I realize how important it is to have friends who can help me think through things, share prayer requests with—and yes, even laugh with.
What kind of friendships do you have? Do you truly value these relationships? What kind of friend are you? Do you share and speak with your closest friends about things that truly matter? Do you push each other on to love and serve Christ more? If not, let’s make it a goal today to deepen some of the relationships we have.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the friendships I have. Help me to be someone who sharpens my friends, and grant me the humility to allow them to speak into my life as well. Ultimately, help me to love others. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 8
Lunch Break Study
Read Acts 2:42-47: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awecame upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Questions to Consider
- What was the community devoted to?
- How did the early church take care of one another?
- What happened in this community?
Notes
- The early church was devoted to the apostle’s teaching (consider it the Bible), fellowship (being together), breaking of bread (communion or remembering Christ), and prayer.
- They shared their possessions, continually met together, ate together, and won the favor of people. It is also important to note there was power in this community.
- God added to their number those who were being saved.
Evening Reflection
How do your views of or commitment to community/church need to change? Do you have friends who help you love Christ more? Do you help your friends love Christ more? Is there giving and sacrifice, as well as genuine love for one another in your church or cell group?