welcome to another daily encouragement from our daily bread Ministries I'm Amy Boucher pie and I called today's reading friends for life
 William Cowper the English poet found a friend and his Pastor John Newton the former slave trader Cowper suffered from depression and anxiety attempting to die by Suicide more than once when Newton visited him they go on long walks together and talk about God thinking that cowperwood benefit from engaging creatively and having a reason to write his poetry the minister had the idea to compile a Hymnal Cowper contributed many songs including God Moves In A mysterious way
 when Newton moved to another church and Cowper remain strong friends and correspond regularly for the rest of Cowper's life
 I see parallels between the strong friendship of Cowper and Newton with side of David and Jonathan in the Old Testament after David defeated Goliath Jonathan became one and David loving him as himself although Jonathan was the son of King Saul he defended David against the Kings jealousy and anger ask his father why David should be put to death in response stall her all his Spirit him to kill him Jonathan Dodge the weapon and was grieved at the shameful treatment of his friend
 for both sets of friends their bond was life-giving as they spread each other on to serve and love God how might you similarly encourage a friend today
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from 1st Samuel chapter 20 verses 26 through 34
 Saul said nothing that day for he thought something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean surely he is unclean but the next day the second day of the month David's place was empty again then Saul said to his son Jonathan why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today Jonathan answered David earnestly ask me for permission to go to Bethlehem he said let me go because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there
 if I have found favor in your eyes let me get away to see my brother's that is why he has not come to the king's table
 Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him you son of a perverse and rebellious woman don't I know that I have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame into the name of the mother who bore you as long as the son of Jesse lives on this Earth neither you nor your kingdom will be established now send someone to bring him to me for he must die why should he be put to death what has he done Jonathan asked his father but saw her lift his Spirit him to kill him then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David
 Jonathan got up from the table and fierce anger on that second day of the feast he did not eat because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David
 let's pray Lord Jesus help us to enjoy your friendship and your fellowship and we pray in your holy name amen
 today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries