faith on fire

15 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the Wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “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. Saul my father also knows this.” 18 And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. 1 Samuel 23:15-18

Most Christians today do not live a fervent Christian life. They may have experienced a passion for God at some time, but they don't know how to keep that fire going.

I know one reason why. After 20 years as a pastor, I've observed that people whose hearts are passionate for God are surrounded by biblical friendships. Without friends, our flame dies down. With another's strengthening influence, our passion for God burns brighter.

Hebrews 10:24 speaks to this dynamic when it urges us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

David and Jonathan's friendship is a model of “flammable” passion for God. If ever there was a friendship with the cards stacked against it, this was it. Yet out of their adversity comes a powerful picture of how we can stoke each other's faith.

Biblical friends support each other. I'm sure there were many long nights during David's life-and-death struggle with crazy King Saul when he wanted to give up, strike back, or rebel against the Lord. I'm convinced that one key to David's success was his friendship with Jonathan. At great personal risk, Jonathan refused to let David go through his crisis alone.

Biblical friends pray together. Against the backdrop of intense danger, Jonathan didn't show up with human platitudes or worldly counsel for David. He helped him take his problems to the Lord. He “strengthened his hand in God” (1 Samuel 23:16).

Do you have a friend or two like Jonathan? Biblical friends help you submit to God's character-molding influence in your life. They come to you in times when God is using some circumstance to help you conform to the life of Jesus, and they blow on the coals of your faith. Biblical friends stoke your passion for God and your commitment to follow hard after him.

You need them and they need you. Keep your Christian life on fire for God by pursuing that kind of friend—and being that kind of friend. —James MacDonald walkintheword.com

seeking: Father, as I have reflected on friendship, what have you called me to do? How have I seen friendship with you in a fresh way?

responding: Who has been a strengthening friend to me like David's friend Jonathan? How can I strengthen my friends in God?

Lord, I want to be used by you to strengthen the faith of my friends. By your grace, I begin again today. Give me strength and the renewed commitment I need to accomplish this task.

following: True friends fire up their friends' faith.

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