Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the LORD’s name, saying, ‘The LORD is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’ ” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.
1 Samuel 20:42 (emphasis added)

David and Jonathan are one side of the model of friendship. They were truly dedicated to each other on a level far beyond mere companionship or acquaintanceship. Originally (1 Samuel 18), they were just two young men. One the son of a shepherd and one the son of a king. David had just killed Goliath. He was in favour with Saul. He had helped defend Israel against their enemies. Things were going well: “When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David with his clothing, even including his sword, his bow, and his sash. David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. It was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants” (1 Samuel 18:1-5). But it didn’t stay that way.

Almost immediately, things started going south. The women of Jerusalem sang David’s praises, comparing him to Saul in David’s favour (vs 7). And Saul didn’t take it well: “Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me with thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?” Saul watched David from that day and forward” (1 Samuel 8:8-9). Saul watched him to see what he was doing and to evaluate to see if he was a threat. Saul also was tormented in himself. David, a musician of some skill, would play for Saul and calm him. But Saul watched David. With a spear in his hand. And said more than once “I will pin him to the wall” (1 Samuel 18:12, 1 Samuel 19:10). Saul set David to suicidal tasks, gave him his daughter as a way to keep tabs on him and get a hook in him, chased him with his army (twice), set traps, sent thugs to collect him, and basically did everything he could to destroy David.

Through it all, there is Jonathan. Friend to David. He helped him, supported him, spoke up about him, defended him — even to the point that Saul threw a spear at him (1 Samuel 20:32-33). It grieved Jonathan. Even though it was clear to him that Yahweh God had appointed David as the next king, he still supported and loved David. By standing with David, he was complicit in ensuring he himself would never be king. He was giving up everything he had been raised and trained up to be. But his friendship and love for David was greater than personal gain. They were for each other to the bone and beyond. Theirs was a fierce friendship that lasted beyond the death of Jonathan (2 Samuel 9). It was and is a model of how we should be with our friends: devoted, honest, steadfast, without fear, and faithful. The other side of the model of friendship is Jesus and Judas Iscariot.

Jesus loved Judas. He was friends with Judas as He was with all His close disciples. They spent almost every waking moment together for three years. They shared trials, triumphs, and witnessed the moves of God. Jesus called to Himself out of the pool of disciples who followed Him twelve men. It says in Matthew 10:1 that He “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.” Judas was one of the Twelve. He was called by Jesus especially. He was given power just like the others. Jesus did NOT call Judas in order to have someone who would betray Him. There were over seventy people following Jesus. One of the Twelve didn’t have to betray Him. Someone else could have done it. He wasn’t destined to do it. He chose to do it. There was destined to be a betrayer because David prophesied one under the influence of Holy Spirit. But it COULD have been anyone of those who followed Jesus. True, the Twelve had more opportunity, but Jesus didn’t hide Himself from His disciples. Anyone could have done it. There was a destined betrayer, but whomever it was to be had to choose to step into that prophesied role. It was Judas. Luke 6:16 records Judas’ name as “who also became a traitor”. He chose it. He didn’t have to.

Jesus loved Him. Jesus gave him authority. Judas could have walked in it and resisted the devil. Judas was one of those sent out into the countryside to perform miracles and preach the Good News after being instructed by Jesus (Matthew 10). Read the chapter, it isn’t long. They were called to powerful things. Great workings of the Father through them. They were called to a servant attitude, freely giving that which was given to them and taking no personal gain from it. Judas — as far as we know — was faithful in his charge. He was one of those who came back excited with all they had seen accomplished (Mark 6:30-31): “The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”

There were sad times coming. David in Psalms wrote about Ahithophel, a close friend who betrayed him (2 Samuel 16:15-17:23). He wrote about it three times, and each of those times it was true for his circumstance but also a Holy Spirit inspired prophecy about Jesus. “Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). “For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him. But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend. We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company” (Psalm 55:12-14). And Psalm 109:6-9 where it talks about the fate of the betrayer. Judas was a trusted friend. They loved each other. They fellowshipped with each other. They worshipped God together. They advised each other. What happened?

We don’t know for sure. But I think there is a clue in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Why do I think this applies? Because of John 12:6 where it is recorded “Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.” Judas had stared to steal at some point. Whether this was the thing that did it or whether it was a manifestation of deeper things, it was certainly an opportunity. I have heard it said (and I believe it is true) that true strength in the spirit is for the enemy to come examine you and find nothing in you that belongs to him. Stealing was definitely something that belonged to the devil and was an open door through which he could influence Judas.

One of the saddest scriptures in the bible is Matthew 26:50 “Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?”” It breaks my heart every time. Especially when you connect it to Luke 22:48 “But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”” Right up to the end, Jesus loved Judas. He doesn’t judge him. He gives him chances. Judas could have stepped away instead of confirming the betrayal. He could have had a moment of true repentance. Peter also betrayed Jesus, but instead of just despairing at his feelings of remorse Peter repented. This was the first opportunity for Judas to repent. Later, after he felt remorse, he also could have repented. Instead, he hanged himself. We don’t know if at the last he did repent. We don’t know in what state of mind and spirit he died. But it was not pretty. Jesus prophesied this sorrow, remorse, and horrors of the realisation of his actions in Matthew 26:24 “The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

Friendship, as multi-faceted as it is, has two basic sides. One is returned friendship. One is unrequited friendship. One is a platform where there is mutual selfless support, mutual love, mutual blessing, and mutual respect. One is a platform where one side is honest and the other is superficial and fearful. As saints, fellow believers, and fellow members of the body of Christ, we are called to be on the first platform. We are not called to feel it. We are called to do it. To support each other. To be honest with each other. To bless each other. To love each other. To respect each other. Personality doesn’t matter. Position doesn’t matter. We are called to be friends and more than friends. We are called to be prayer partners with one another without agenda or commentary.

“with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). “I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). “you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf” (2 Corinthians 1:11). “Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him” (Acts 12:5). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

We pray for many reasons. It edifies us (Jude 1:20). We do it because Jesus is our advocate before the Father and we bring our failings to Him so they can be dealt with (1 John 2:1). We do it to gain knowledge in the Lord (Colossians 1:9-12). We do it to worship (Matthew 6:9). We do it so that the Spirit can help us (Romans 8:26-27). We are not called to be selfish in prayer. Not to focus on ourselves and our problems. We are called to help one another in prayer. In careful and conscious lifting up of each other — no matter our personal feelings — for the benefit of those we pray for and not our own. More than once we are told to watch our tongues and not gossip. When you hear something about a fellow human (especially a believer), our response should not be to revel in it. But to pray it out. To not gossip, but to take it to the Lord in prayer. Start with ‘I don’t know if this is true’ and then talk it out to the Lord. Look up scriptures that could help them. Pray them out. Respond in compassion, not judgment or bitterness.

It is simple, but not easy. We sometimes feel that call to pray and we think ‘No!’ Do you know what they did, what they said, what they’re like? Can you believe they did that? I knew it! Serves them right! I can’t believe that all this time they were doing that! See? I told you they weren’t… It should make you a little queasy thinking about it. Thinking about how horrible we are to each other in our thoughts and words. Laying aside all things we should seek to build each other up, not drive each other down. It doesn’t matter if they are right or wrong. If they have done harm or good. It doesn’t matter if you like them or dislike them. Respect them or resent them. We are called to pray for them.

Jesus didn’t like you when you were a sinner, He loved you. He doesn’t like all that you do, He loves you. Jesus doesn’t operate on likes and feelings. Jesus operates on love. He is driven by love, and wants us to be as well. In Him we can be. In Him we can embrace the positive friendship model. In Him we can take that model and apply it to every believer we hear about or know. In Him we can even take that model and start to pray it out toward the world around us as well. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 is a simple plea: “Brothers, pray for us.” This is what we are to do. With thanksgiving and praise we are to enter into His courts and lift up our brothers and sisters.

Don’t be a Judas. Don’t take, but not give. Don’t be false. Don’t fear others and don’t let fear dominate your thinking. Be a David. Be a Jonathan. No matter what it costs you, lift up your brethren in the Lord. Pray for every believer you know and everyone you hear about. Don’t mock, judge, or let your personal feelings inform your prayers. Let the Holy Spirit lead you, guide you, and speak to you what you are to speak out. Go the extra mile in your prayer closet. With thanksgiving, praise, and joy. Happy to do it. Joyful to help. Let it be a sweet incense rising to the Throne itself. Be a friend. Be a sibling. Be loving. Pray for each other. Every day. Let us be known by our love. For the world and especially for each other. Let’s model it for the world. Let’s do it so well they’ll be banging down the doors to come in and join us in our joyful, loving support of each other. Let our friendship to each other and based in and on Jesus be a beacon to draw the world to the Kingdom. To be friends like us. To be friends with Jesus. He is the best friend ever.

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: Romans 12:9-13

Love is honest and good. It is something to be treasured to be clung to. Because it is a decision. It is a choice and a decision to ignore feelings, to ignore passion, to ignore behaviour. It is a choice to uphold one another in tender affection. Outside of romantic relationships, it is still a choice. It is still a choice to ignore feelings, to ignore behaviour, and to ignore worldview. It doesn’t matter who it is you are coming across or associating with. Love is how you are to treat them. Those you like. Those you dislike. Enduring, steadfast, and in service to the Lord. Love is such a powerful thing. It gives power to our words. Power to our actions. It makes the smallest things life-shaking. When done in love, providing a simple cup of sipping beverage can topple walls built up around a soul. When done in love, the opening of a door can destroy bitterness. When done in love, all things become services of hope and hospitality. Toward our fellow humans, in service to the Lord, in Jesus and for Jesus. God’s love for us changed everything. Everything. We can see the love of the Father in the actions of His children. May we move ever forward toward the point that ALL our actions reflect His love. May ALL our words echo His. May the love He showed us shine out of us toward each other. We all need it so much.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.