In a day when genuine friendships are rare, in a day when loyalties are thin,

in a day where commitment is often conditional, in a day when relationships seem to be built on what am I going to get out of this instead of what can I give into this?

In such a day as our day, the story of David and Jonathan, their friendship, their loyalty to one another is truly refreshing.

I'm reminded of how many years ago Sir Walter Scott was the leading literally figure in the

British Empire. It was said of Sir Walter Scott that no one could write like he could. But then, it wasn't many years later, the work of Lord Byron began to appear.

And the greatness of Lord Byron's work was immediately evident.

All those who have read it began to give it all the accolides. Right after that, there was an anonymous

critic who began to write in a London newspaper about the work of Lord Byron. The anonymous

critic declared that in the presence of these brilliant works of poetic genius, Scott could no longer be

considered the leading poet of England. Think how you would feel if you're Walter Scott.

But it was sometime later it was discovered that the unnamed reviewer and the unnamed critic was no other than Sir Walter Scott himself.

This rare and magnanimous spirit was evident in Jonathan's life.

Jonathan was King Saul's eldest son.

Jonathan was King Saul's heir to the throne.

Jonathan was Israel's future king.

Jonathan was the crown prince.

Yet when Jonathan saw God's hand upon David, he submitted to him. When Jonathan recognized the

anointing of God upon David, he committed himself to him. When Jonathan, because of his deep

spiritual sensitivity, he humbled himself before God's anointed.

And we saw in the very first message the first characteristic of a champion, namely,

availability above ability.

And availability is not sitting on your blessed assurance and saying, well, God one day is going to use me.

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