Recently, as I was reading in the Old Testament book of I Samuel, chapter 18, I was reminded that the Lord sometimes performs a miracle by knitting our hearts with others like he did with David and Jonathan. The Lord often places people in our lives because he knows we need them.

Jonathan was just the person David needed at this stage of his life. David was a young shepherd thrust into the spotlight; and, based on some of his future writings in the book of Psalms, maybe a little overwhelmed at times. David had feelings of inadequacy and depression and he was being hunted by King Saul; who was out to get him. Many of us can relate to these things, hopefully with the exception of a hostel king. Jonathan loved David, believed in him, and sought God's best for him.

In 2 Samuel, chapter 1, verse 26, David says of Jonathan "...your friendship was a miracle-wonder; love exceeding anything I've know, or hope to know " (MSG). That's ultimately what God gives us through friendship: a real-life, everyday miracle in the form of another person.

In the New Testament book of Mark, chapter 2, verses 1-12, we read a story of four friends hauling their paralyzed friend to Jesus so he could be healed. The man could not get there on his own, so his friends took him; actually they carried him on a stretcher. I can't help but wonder, did he ask his friends to bring him to Jesus,  or did his four faithful friends take the initiative?

There are many ways to be paralyzed. And there are times when we can't get to a place of healing on our own. This story illustrates the gospel at work; the gospel of friendship.

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Faithful friendships may require walking with one another down some hard roads, losses,  a bad diagnosis, financial problems and much more. We need friends to help us remember what God has done, and is doing in our lives. Friends often help us to experience the faithfulness and miracle power of the Master.

The passage in Mark, 2 tells us: " Jesus saw their faith;" not the faith of the paralyzed man, but the faith of four friends. Therein we experience a miracle; having our soul knitted to another. That's ultimately what God gives us: Our life renewed, through the faithfulness of a friend.

— Dan Van Ommen is a Zeeland resident and a member of the Reformed Church in America. Contact him at dan.vanommen@gmail.com.