June 4, 2018
2 Samuel 12: 5-7
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 
New International Version (NIV)
                Who is your very best friend?  Melanie is mine!  Good answer!  We who are married need to get this answer right.  Of course she is more than my friend, but she is by every measure my very best friend.  I have friends with whom I run, memorize scripture weekly, preach and fish.  But I have no better friend than Melanie. 

                Who was King David’s best friend?  Samuel anointed him.  Abner and Joab defended him.  Jonathan protected him.  But God’s “gift” of friendship to David was Nathan whose name means “gift.”  Why?  The prophet Nathan gave David the good gift of accountability.  When David acted with impunity in adultery and murder, no one mentioned it.  Except Nathan.  He told David a story which made David livid.  “That man will be punished,” he exclaimed.  “You are the man,” said Nathan.

               Often when people rise through the ranks and become successful or powerful, those around them are so intimidated that they will not hold them accountable.  This sounds good, but it is not.  We can become oblivious to our own faults.  Your best friend is the one who will look you in the eyes and tell you “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” even when you do not want to hear it.

                God has blessed me with a handful of people who will hold me accountable.  Even when the truth they tell me hurts, I am grateful.  How else would I grow?  For 34 years this Saturday, Melanie has never once let me off the hook.  What a gift!  What a gracious God we serve!

Pray with me:  
Father, we thank you for friends who love us too much to bless our folly.  When we are unsure, let us hear their voices over the cacophony of the sycophants who fear they will hurt us by speaking the truth.  Please make us the kind of friends who give each other the gift of accountability.  Use the iron of others to sharpen our own iron until we become like Christ.  In His holy name we pray.  Amen. 
This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story.  With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
 
Joyfully, 
 
Duane 
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