Words That Matter
Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. —1 SAMUEL 23:16 NKJV
Take a moment to think about someone who is a close friend.
Can you recall a time when that person was merely an acquaintance? What was it that took your relationship from acquaintance to friend? A shared interest? Passion for a common cause? Perhaps a heated debate?
However, your friendship began, things are probably quite different in your relationship today.
The polite “hello” of acquaintance days has grown into a vocabulary of deeper relationship, which includes spoken as well as unspoken sentiments.
Jonathan was just such a friend to David. David was hiding in the wilderness, attempting to discern God’s will while simultaneously avoiding detection by Saul, who sought his life.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, came to David with words of encouragement, saying, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you” (1 Samuel 23:17).
These words from a mere acquaintance might have been received with a smile and a thank-you, or maybe one of those you-don’t-know-what-you’re-talking-about looks. Yet those were words of encouragement from a true friend, and so the words mattered. Jonathan’s words could be trusted.
The trusted words of a friend can make a positive impact in your life. Listening requires humility, patience, and an open mind. Start with humility—know that you aren’t always right. It’s okay to admit you’re not perfect when you’re with a trusted friend. Remember, your friend is on your side. Next, be patient.
Let the wise counsel seep into you and steep there for a while. Don’t jump to a wrong conclusion or criticize your friend’s words before you’ve really examined them.
It may be tough to hear some of your friend’s words, but you’ll never get the chance if you’re calculating your response while your friend is still speaking.
Finally, be prepared to have your best-laid plans turned upside down, or at least sideways. Sometimes a friend will propose a solution you hadn’t even considered—one that doesn’t make sense at first.
An open mind allows you to approach new ideas willingly. Take the encouragement of a friend to heart. Let the words strengthen you. Even if you fail or fall, those words will provide a softer landing place. That’s because the encouraging words of a true friend are inseparable from the unspoken message of friendship—a message of love.
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. —1 SAMUEL 23:16 NKJV
Take a moment to think about someone who is a close friend.
Can you recall a time when that person was merely an acquaintance? What was it that took your relationship from acquaintance to friend? A shared interest? Passion for a common cause? Perhaps a heated debate?
However, your friendship began, things are probably quite different in your relationship today.
The polite “hello” of acquaintance days has grown into a vocabulary of deeper relationship, which includes spoken as well as unspoken sentiments.
Jonathan was just such a friend to David. David was hiding in the wilderness, attempting to discern God’s will while simultaneously avoiding detection by Saul, who sought his life.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, came to David with words of encouragement, saying, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you” (1 Samuel 23:17).
These words from a mere acquaintance might have been received with a smile and a thank-you, or maybe one of those you-don’t-know-what-you’re-talking-about looks. Yet those were words of encouragement from a true friend, and so the words mattered. Jonathan’s words could be trusted.
The trusted words of a friend can make a positive impact in your life. Listening requires humility, patience, and an open mind. Start with humility—know that you aren’t always right. It’s okay to admit you’re not perfect when you’re with a trusted friend. Remember, your friend is on your side. Next, be patient.
Let the wise counsel seep into you and steep there for a while. Don’t jump to a wrong conclusion or criticize your friend’s words before you’ve really examined them.
It may be tough to hear some of your friend’s words, but you’ll never get the chance if you’re calculating your response while your friend is still speaking.
Finally, be prepared to have your best-laid plans turned upside down, or at least sideways. Sometimes a friend will propose a solution you hadn’t even considered—one that doesn’t make sense at first.
An open mind allows you to approach new ideas willingly. Take the encouragement of a friend to heart. Let the words strengthen you. Even if you fail or fall, those words will provide a softer landing place. That’s because the encouraging words of a true friend are inseparable from the unspoken message of friendship—a message of love.
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /calvincosmo30@gmail.com /calvincosmo@facebook.com.
EMP0WERMENT
I Will...
Listen for God’s direction in the encouraging words of a friend.
Trust that God can use my friends to help me grow.
Understand that a good friend is a gift from God.
Listen to a friend’s words as intently as I would want my friend to listen to me.
Know that a friend’s words are usually spoken out of concern.
Learn to embrace a friend’s words.
Attempt to encourage my friends as often as possible.
Things to Do...
Pray for wisdom to know how to encourage others.
Write a thank-you note today to one friend who has encouraged you.
Be prepared to offer a few words of encouragement to a friend.
Invite a friend to consult with you on an upcoming decision.
Call a friend to say how much you appreciate his or her friendship.
Read about David and Jonathan’s friendship in 1 Samuel, chapters 19 and 20.
Offer your friendship to someone with whom you’d like to have a closer relationship.
Things to Remember...
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (PROVERBS 17:17 NKJV)
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (JOHN 15:13 NKJV)
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (PROVERBS 18:24 NKJV)
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (PROVERBS 27:6 NIV)
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (JOHN 15:15 NKJV)
Encourage each other every day while it is “today.” Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. (HEBREWS 3:13 NCV)
Listen for God’s direction in the encouraging words of a friend.
Trust that God can use my friends to help me grow.
Understand that a good friend is a gift from God.
Listen to a friend’s words as intently as I would want my friend to listen to me.
Know that a friend’s words are usually spoken out of concern.
Learn to embrace a friend’s words.
Attempt to encourage my friends as often as possible.
Things to Do...
Pray for wisdom to know how to encourage others.
Write a thank-you note today to one friend who has encouraged you.
Be prepared to offer a few words of encouragement to a friend.
Invite a friend to consult with you on an upcoming decision.
Call a friend to say how much you appreciate his or her friendship.
Read about David and Jonathan’s friendship in 1 Samuel, chapters 19 and 20.
Offer your friendship to someone with whom you’d like to have a closer relationship.
Things to Remember...
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (PROVERBS 17:17 NKJV)
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (JOHN 15:13 NKJV)
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (PROVERBS 18:24 NKJV)
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (PROVERBS 27:6 NIV)
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (JOHN 15:15 NKJV)
Encourage each other every day while it is “today.” Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. (HEBREWS 3:13 NCV)
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
