This is the fourth in a series of five. The average pastoral tenure is three-and-a-half to four years. True loyalty is developed over time and is tested by a variety of circumstances. How loyal are you and how loyal are those you consider trusted friends?
It is often stated that most men have no, none, not one true friend. True, but tragic. The basis for loyalty is a circle of friends and fellow servants in which transparency and vulnerability abound.
Transparency is my willingness to acknowledge with integrity the observations you make about my person and/or my ministry. Vulnerability is the courage on my part to come to you and openly express a need or deficiency that I am struggling with. Generally, I tell you what you already know. Now I have authorized you to address it and help me find solutions.
Such genuineness and "life in community' conduct inevitably produces LOYAL co-laborers and friends of the most cherished sort.
1 Sam. 20:16:17 David and Jonathan- So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD require it at the hands of David's enemies." Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.
2 Sam. 9:9-11 David and Mephibosheth- Then the king called Saul's servant Ziba and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. "You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so you’re your master’s grandson may have food; nevertheless Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson shall eat at my table regularly." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do." Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons.
2 Sam. 19:38-39; I Kings 2:7 The king answered, "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and whatever you require of me, I will do for you." All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed, too. The king then kissed Barziilai and blessed him, and he returned to his place. "But show kindness to the sons of BarziIlai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for they assisted me when I fled from Absalom your brother.”
I Chron. 12:18, 33 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said, "We are yours, O David, And with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to him who helps you; Indeed, your God helps you!" Then David received them and made them captains of the band.
Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David with an undivided heart.
Do you have an undivided heart?
