May 31

2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 16:12-13

Pray: God, help me to be a true friend. Help me to step up and step into adversity being experienced by friends and family. Remind me that emptying myself not only refreshes others but also makes room for me to be filled by You.

Read: David and his men were fleeing Absalom in 2 Samuel 17:27. The future did not look bright. Politically, it looked like it was over. Militarily, David and his troops were weakened greatly. Who are your true friends? Who is there for you when everything is going wrong? “When David arrived at Mahaniam, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash….They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those with him. For they said, “You must be hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.” None of us like adversity, but in adversity we discover our true friends.

Edify: Are you a fair weather friend? Or, are you right there being a friend when it costs you much and gets you little? Far too many marriages break up when things are not going well. Far too many churches split when things are not going well. Friends are born for adversity. Be one.

Practice: We are connected by God to our spouses, our churches, and our communities. Practice stepping up rather than stepping away when things head south. Friendships are made to be tested. Expect testing.