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'd go on long walks together and talk about God.

Thinking that Cowper would 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, he and Cowper remained strong friends and

corresponded regularly for the rest of Cowper's life. I see parallels between the strong friendship

of Cowper and Newton with that of David and Jonathan in the Old Testament. After David defeated

Goliath, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, loving him as himself.

Although Jonathan was the son of King Saul, he defended David against the king's jealousy and

anger, asking his father why David should be put to death.

In response, Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him.

Jonathan dodged the weapon and was grieved at the shameful treatment of his friend. For both sets of

friends, their bond was life-giving as they spurred 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 1 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.

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