“I got your back!”
One of my buddies said that to me a few days ago. I knew these weren’t empty words—he has proven himself to be a loyal friend.
For some reason this reminded me of a story in the Old Testament. Saul (Israel’s first king) was at war with their archenemies, the Philistines. His son Jonathan decided to go on a secret mission—so secret that even his father didn’t know about it. He planned to raid a Philistine outpost with only one companion: his young armor-bearer. Here’s how his trusted assistant responded to the seemingly foolish plan:
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
-1st Samuel 14:7
Armor-bearers, as the name implies, were responsible for carrying and maintaining an important soldier’s shield and weapons. They also served as personal assistants, presumably chosen for their loyalty and bravery. A lesser man may have told Jonathan all the reasons the plan wouldn’t work—but not an armor-bearer.
Their raid was incredibly successful: the Bible says they “killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre” (vs. 14). Jonathan had the Lord’s help, of course. But he also had the help of a fellow warrior. Someone had his back.
I have to admit something here: the older I get, the shorter the list of people I truly trust. I’ve had plenty of life experiences to reinforce my already cynical disposition. But sometimes all you need is God and one or two good “armor-bearers”—true friends who will fight for you or with you if needed.
Be sure to thank God for the “armor-bearers” in your life.
Aside from the Lord, my very trusted best friend is my mom. I’m blessed.
Good friends who look out for us unconditionally are rare and hard to find nowadays so when we do find one or two, we better keep them.
Hi Kuya Kevin, thanks for this post. I am truly blessed!
Thank God for all my armor bearers!