I Don’t Need This…Or Do I?

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42.

Some people try to live a Christian life by themselves, away from any regular Christian friends or a church. They believe they are self-sufficient and tough enough to fight the battles that need fighting without the help of others. After all “why should others fight my battles?” The problem is it just doesn’t work very well — either for their own growth or to accomplish Jesus’ mission here on earth.

Christians need the support of other believers if they are to grow in the faith. Recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were encouraged to ‘think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” to “not neglect our meeting together”  and to ”encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10.24-25). 

A story that highlights why we need others and others needs us is David and Jonathan. You are probably familiar with the story. David and Jonathan are friends. But David’s military success creates ungrounded paranoia in Saul, who tries to kill David or have others kill David. 1 Samuel 18:3 says “And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself.” They were available for each other. Do you have a 2 a.m. friend? Do you have that kind of friend in your corner that will be there for you no matter the situation – even a crisis in the middle of the night. Jonathan and David definitely had this kind of friendship. When Jonathan’s father Saul tried to assassinate David, Jonathan found his friend, who was in the midst of his darkest hours, and said, “Tell me what I can do to help you.” (1 Samuel 20:4)

Did David, a man’s man need Jonathan’s help? This is the guy who defeated Goliath. David was a man after God’s own heart. He was a great warrior. He was no doubt superior to Jonathan in strength and intelligence and depth of theological understanding. But 1 Samuel 23: 16 says “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.”

Needing others is not for new Christians. It is for every believer. We never grow out of our need for others in our corner. Don’t ever think that a man is so strong that he does not need to be strengthened in God. And don’t ever think that someone is so far above or below you, that you can’t be God’s instrument to give strength.

Someone may need your help, your love, your support, and one day you’ll discover that you need them just as much as they need you.

Discussion Questions:

1. Besides your immediate family, who is in your corner that helps you get up when you are knocked down in life?  
2. Who needs you in their corner?
3. What can we do this week to be in the corner of others?