The friendship between Jonathan and David is legendary. Their love, respect and care for one another is a beautiful example of mutual commitment and devotion. Friendship is not unique to Christians or the Bible. Friendship is a universal blessing and privilege. The blessings of friendship are many. Someone has said that “friendship doubles our joys and halves our sorrows.” David’s life was saved by Jonathan’s diligence and intervention. Jonathan’s surviving family members were cared for generations after their friendship. However, friendship can have some dangers as well. For example, when we put the friendship above truth or we maintain a loyalty to a friend that makes us disloyal to God, our friendship is out of order. This is certainly what Jesus was referring to when He said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” If we choose to follow the ways of others—even family—over Jesus, we negate our apprenticeship for that period of time. Why was the friendship of David and Jonathan so beautiful? Because they always kept the Lord between them. That is the key to good friendships. When the Lord is between us we’ll treat each other as He would treat us. It’s when we forget He is there that the trouble begins. If you want to enjoy the blessings of friendship and avoid the dangers, always “keep the Lord in your midst.”