Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Stand by Your Man

 

I have innumerable memories and life experiences that are connected with music. When I was around two years old, my family lived in southern California. When we went to the ocean, the four of us had to walk across storefronts to get to the beach. On one of these excursions, my parents noticed that I had fallen behind and wasn’t with the rest of the family. Mom had to walk back to the beer joint and get me because I had stopped to dance to the music that filtered out the open door. Little kids don’t have to be taught how to dance. They simply do it naturally…and gleefully.

 

When couples marry, they bring to the holy union boxes of stuff from their single days. Two items I specifically recall that my late husband brought to our marriage in 1980 was a shoebox full of cassette tapes. When Elvis died in 1977, Jimmy listened to the radio and taped the Elvis songs that the DJ played. This box also contained a cassette of Tammy Wynette which included her #1 hit song, “Stand by Your Man.”

 

One of the best Old Testament examples of loyal friendship is between Jonathan and his armor bearer (who isn’t mentioned by name). The Philistines were at war with Israel during King Saul’s reign. One day Jonathan (son of Saul) said to his armor bearer, “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans. Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether He has many warriors or only a few!” (1 Samuel 14:6 NLT).

 

I really like the supportive attitude of Jonathan’s young attendant. He knew what it meant to “Stand by Your Friend.” “His armor bearer said to him, ’Do everything that is in your heart; turn yourself to it, and here I am with you, as your heart desires‘” (1 Samuel 14:7 NASB). He could have rattled off 20 reasons why two warriors shouldn’t engage in fighting a military garrison of Philistine soldiers. Instead, he joined with Jonathan and together they quickly made a brave attack, overwhelming and killing about 20 of the enemy. Their victory proved then, and now, that God is greater than circumstances. Jonathan’s bold words of faith expressed His confidence in God, Who then enabled this fighting duo to overcome immense odds.

 

I want to be a loyal friend like Jonathan’s armor bearer. He said, “Here I am with you.”  Jonathan was encouraged by his attendant’s promise to stand by him and follow him wherever he went. We all know what it means when a friend says, “I’ve got your back.” He/she will not turn his/her back on you. A loyal friend is there for the long haul. It’s been said that in order to have a friend, you must be a friend. It might be a  challenge to keep the unspoken promise to stand by your friend through thick and thin, but do it anyway. Having a friend to defend is worth fighting for.

 

A loyal friend is supportive, trustworthy, confidential, and honest with you. A friend stands by you, defends you in your absence, and helps you out in times of stress and strain. A friend will laugh and cry with you, comfort you, and pray for you. A friend will think the best of you when you stumble and fall, and will lend a hand to help you stand.  A loyal friend will throw out the lifeline when you’re going down for the third time.

 

The Key: Stand by your friend until the very end.