I'll Be There for You

The Importance of Covenantal Friendships

Introduction

On May 23rd, 1995, The Remembrandts released their classic, "I'll Be There for You." A song that the band was reluctant to record became an anthem for the lives of fans of the cult-classic sitcom, "Friends." The original theme was just shy of a minute long, and due to the song's popularity, The Remembrandts re-recorded the song, adding a verse and a bridge. "I'll Be There for You" perfectly depicts the plot of "Friends," highlighting challenges in the workplace, financial woes, dating struggles, and, most importantly, friendship.

Here's the chorus: "I'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour. I'll be there for you like I've been there before. I'll be there for you 'cause you're there for me too."

On the surface, the average listener of this iconic song may not recognize the subtle issue with the chorus, and that's okay. However, the lyrics above are not just a form of artistic expression but a manifestation of how individuals view friendship in real life.

Let's face it: every relationship has terms and conditions. For example, marriage, employment, and church membership have conditions that require compliance. Refusing to abide by the abovementioned covenants could lead to divorce, unemployment, and excommunication.

Breach of Contract

Check out the third and final verse of the song "Friends" by the legendary Hip-Hop group Whodini: "You say you and your girlfriend were so tight, you took her out with you and your guy one night. She even had a set of keys to your home, and you shared mostly everything you owned. But as she shook your hand, she stole your man. And it was done so sweet; it had to be a plan. Couldn't trust her with cheese, let alone your keys. With friends like that, you don't need enemies. You wonder how long it was all going on, and you're still not sure if you're glad he's gone. You say, well, if she took him, he was never mine, but deep inside, you know that's just another lie. And now you're kinda cold toward the people you meet 'cause of something that was done to you by some creep. But nevertheless, I'll say it again that these are the people that we call friends."

What's going on here?

The covenant between Friend A and Friend B, mentioned in the lyrics above, was broken. Friend B betrayed Friend A, causing not only mental and emotional instability in Friend A's life but also her outlook on friendship changed for the worse. Friend A would regress to being a caterpillar if she could because being a social butterfly led to her experiencing confusion, heartache, and betrayal. Unfortunately, some people don't know or seem to care how damaging sin can be.

Sin is like a buckshot. Once the trigger releases and the shotgun shell reaches the intended target, the pellets begin to spread. The individual pulling the trigger (the transgressor) is not the only one who receives some kickback; everyone else around them will also suffer from gunshot wounds. For this reason, this is what makes sin so lethal; our sin does not just affect us, but everyone in our lives will suffer.

'Why then have you despised the command of the Lord by doing what I consider evil? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife as your own wife — you murdered him with the Ammonite’s sword. Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house because you despised Me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own wife.’ “This is what the Lord says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you from your own family: I will take your wives and give them to another before your very eyes, and he will sleep with them publicly. You acted in secret, but I will do this before all Israel and in broad daylight.’ ” '

2 Samuel 12:9-12 (HCSB)

A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother

'Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.'

1 Samuel 18:3-4 (HCSB)

David's bravery, loyalty, and, most recognizably, devotion to God encouraged Jonathan. Like David, Jonathan was a godly man who feared the Lord and devoted his life to serving Him. Adversity assembled them, but their faith and devotion to the Lord united them.

'Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.'

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (HCSB)

Conclusion

Church membership is a beautiful example of a covenant between God and the local church. However, church membership would not be possible without the covenant that God promised His chosen people.

'“Look, the days are coming” — this is the Lord ’s declaration — “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant they broke even though I had married them” — the Lord ’s declaration. “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” — the Lord ’s declaration. “I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. ' Jeremiah 31:31-33 (HCSB)

Thanks be to God that He does not renege on His promises. We're undeserving of His grace, mercy, kindness, and love. As Christians, let's seek to right the wrongs we've done to one another (Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 18:15-35). Look your brother and sister in Christ in the eye; tell them you love them and have their back, and mean it.