Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker Everyone needs a Hushai
In the latter years of our marriage, my late husband and I became only “fair-weather” bikers. We’d jump on the Suzuki Boulevard and tootle around Gunn Park, head west on old Hwy 54, or south to Garland and enjoy the warm sun and breeze. I now describe myself as a “fair-weather” mower. If it’s too windy, too cold, too muddy, or too many irons in the fire, I will not mow my 3-acre property. Consequently, these strict stipulations caused me to get behind about a month before attempting the first mowing of the season. So when I discovered the battery was dead and wouldn’t hold a charge, I nearly cried. I knew the clock was ticking and it would be raining in a few hours. What did I do? I got a hold of a friend and he and his wife brought out and installed a new battery, so I was ready to mow in just a few minutes. My problem was solved…because of friends.
I recently came across a scripture that struck me and has stuck with me: “…and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend” (1 Chronicles 27:33 NASB). King David had everything he needed and everything he wanted. He had army commanders, chief officers of the tribes of Israel, various overseers, counselors, servants, and more wives than was wise. But even the king of Israel needed a man he could count on to simply be his friend.
Hushai is mentioned in the Old Testament books of 2 Samuel (chapters 15-18) and 1 Chronicles. He isn’t remembered today like we think of Noah, Elijah, or Paul. Most of us don’t give Hushai a second thought. But he’s surely worth studying because he was important enough to be recorded in the Bible as a friend to king David. This six-letter word is part of living the abundant life Jesus said believers could have. Do we realize that God answers our prayers many times through a friend?
Hushai is a good example of how God uses faithful individuals to accomplish His purposes and help others. Because of Hushai’s intimate trust and deep loyalty, he was instrumental in thwarting Absalom’s attempt to overtake the throne from his father David. Hushai demonstrated that the faithfulness and wisdom of a friend can be of great benefit in the everyday affairs of someone’s life.
A friend who shows up at the right place at the right time is usually the beginning of an answer to prayer. As believers, we should have our hearts tuned into God’s still, small voice as He prompts us to reach out to someone He’s placed on our minds. With God’s help, let’s determine to be better friends in the “reaching out” part. I want to have a mindset that’s devoted to others because I know how important friends are to me.
A friend makes you laugh, is dependable, and will throw you a party rather than under the bus. A friend never throws stones or kicks you when you’re down. A friend can’t be bought with money and doesn’t count favors. A friend is there when you need her/him. A friend remembers the good and forgets the bad. A friend knows all about your flaws and loves you anyway. And a friend can offer the word you’re searching for but can’t think of when you’re telling a story.
Friends are a beautiful source of love, healing, joy, and encouragement. “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense” (Proverbs 27:9 NLT). Mom always said, “Two heads are better than one.”
The Key: If you’re a friend, you’re fulfilling a very important God-given role.