BE A TRUE FRIEND

• By Sarah Mechane: 

 Hushai was a friend of David, during Absalom's rebellion to his father king David, he agrees to act as an advisor to Absalom to sabotage his plans while secretly sending information to David. It was on his advice that Absalom did not immediately pursue the retreating David, thus giving David time to re-group and gather his forces, Hushai's advice helped to ensure Absalom's rapid defeat. "So Hushai said to Absalom; the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time......you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men.....and your father is a man of war and will not camp with the people...... For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those who are with him are valiant men" 2 Samuel 17:5-10 NKJV Bible. Hushai referred to the David of the past, even though he saw David with his own eyes, that he was not strong and mighty to battle with Absalom. He hoped that Absalom would vividly remember the David of the past a man of war and Hushai tried to save his friend David from the hands of his son Absalom. He was a true friend indeed. So this morning JESUS is addressing the Body of Christ and asking, are you a true friend to defend the kingdom of GOD with the gospel in times of trouble? Are you a true friend to stand in time of calamity, adversity, pain and sorrow to your fellow brethren in the church? Are you a true friend of JESUS CHRIST to stay righteous and holy till the end? Are you a true friend to your wife/husband? Are you a true friend to your family, your children, friends, your neighbour, your colleagues? etc. Are you a true friend in the society? Can people rely on you? For it is written, "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity" Prov.17:17 NIV Bible. Hushai proved to be a friend at all times and a brother in time of adversity to David, can you also be brother in time of adversity to your fellow Christian Brethren? However Hushai advised Absalom to raise a huge army and get David in person, so he said "Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude and that you go to battle in person" 2 Samuel 17:11 NKJV Bible. Hushai not only wanted to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, he also wanted to do whatever he could to buy David more time before the inevitable attack comes. Hushai's point was that it was too risky to attack David immediately, he just wanted his friend to escape and he did so by sending Zadok and Abiathar the priests to inform David to escape. Therefore, "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" "Share each other's troubles and problems and so obey our LORD'S command" JESUS CHRIST is that friend who sticks closer than a brother, be HIS friend and be HIS true friend, says the HOLY-SPIRIT, Prov.18:24 NIV Bible. Gal.6:2, The Living Bible. Shalom and free to share.