A Loyal Companion

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three. Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three."

2 Samuel 23:18-19

A godly, loyal friend is a gift from God.

The following was written in a sports history book about the end of Babe Ruth's career in baseball:

"One of the all-time greats in baseball was Babe Ruth. His bat had the power of a cannon, and his record of 714 home runs remained unbroken until Hank Aaron came along. The Babe was the idol of sports fans, but in time age took its toll, and his popularity began to wane. Finally the Yankees traded him to the Braves. In one of his last games in Cincinnati, Babe Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several misplays that allowed the Reds to score five runs in one inning. As the Babe walked toward the dugout, chin down and dejected, there rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos and catcalls. Some fans actually shook their fists. Then a wonderful thing happened. A little boy jumped over the railing, and with tears streaming down his cheeks he ran out to the great athlete. Unashamedly, he flung his arms around the Babe's legs and held on tightly. Babe Ruth scooped him up, hugged him, and set him down again. Patting him gently on the head, he took his hand and the two of them walked off the field together."

It seems as if baseball fans' loyalty to the Babe lasted only as long as he produced hits and runs for his team. Similarly, many in society feel the same way in many facets of everyday life. "It's only useful to me as long as it produces something for me" seems to be a mentality of our day. That mentality has even filtered over into how many treat the older generation of today!

While some people's loyalty is limited, David speaks highly of the loyalty of Abishai as David ends his life. The friendship between David and Abishai began in 1 Samuel 26:6-9 when Abishai gladly answered David's call for help, "Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?"

Even though Abishai wanted to kill Saul, he did not because he followed David's request. Although he may not have understood David's reasoning, he willingly followed him without criticism or second-guessing. There were times in their friendship when David rebuked Abishai, yet Abishai displayed a fierce loyalty to David throughout their lives.

Loyalty is rare in our world, yet like Abishai, God desires that we would be loyal to the godly friends in our lives. Times will come when we don't always understand their moves or agree with their decisions, but as long as they align with God's Word, we should support them in their ventures. Also, loyal friends may have occasion to rebuke us at times for ungodly actions. If so, count yourself blessed to have friends who care for your spiritual health. Rather than becoming prideful or defensive, accept the rebuke and allow it to strengthen your bond with God and with your friend.

A godly, loyal friend is a gift from God. Take time right now to thank God for providing spiritual companions in your life and seek His help in being a loyal friend to those you count as friends