This is going to be about accountability. We all have friends, don't we? How many are your friends? Categorize them, if you like. How many of them are of much value? Take stock right away. The greatest gifts in life are friends. But then, friends could be your greatest undoing. Today, I will be considering how much value a friend could be to you.
Lanre is the next best thing that happened in my walk with the Lord, after I met the Lord. You would have noticed; I talk about my relationship with the Lord always. You see, Lanre and I met the Lord about the same time. In fact, I was first, and I had the cherished privilege to share the gospel with him. I remember Lanre laughed me to scorn that day; 'Deolu, you? You don born again?' But he listened that day. Months after, he came to tell me of his encounters with the Lord. He is my twin brother in the Lord. I cherish our friendship almost like I do my relationship with the Lord. I will tell you why, but let me describe this 'twin brother' of mine to you. I call him 'Taller', and common, he is really tall. Others call him 'Tallest'. Now let me describe myself; I am a short man. Hmmm, our last born who is more than twelve years younger than I am, is taller than I am. Lanre is twice taller than him with extra. Yet we are so close, you cannot help but giggle when you see us together. This is the man with whom I have been 'spiritually yoked' since I came to know the Lord. Stature in the spirit is different from the physical. We grew together in the Lord. We spent uncountable hours over the years in prayers together. We witnessed to people together. We share experiences together. In fact, we experienced many things together. We share challenges together. We share our fears together. We share victories and failures together. We were there for each other. When I was down, he helped me up. When he was down, I (short me) helped him up. Lanre and I watch each other's back. I would never have come this far- I mean, never- had God not placed Lanre to watch my back. He would tell you same, I know. I dedicated my B Sc. Thesis to him; I would dedicate my spiritual experience hitherto, to him as well and I know God would not mind. Is there such a day as 'A Friend's Day'? No, not February 14- that one has been abused. Lanre will win my prize for the 'Best Friend' any day, and I know my wife would not mind.
More relevant to this piece is; Lanre and I watched each other's back. No one has eyes at the back of his head. Someone said that's why you have a neck- to turn. Have you noticed how many eyes rove whenever the president of a country is around? Those eyes are trained to watch out for the president. Do you have a friend that watches your back? That is the one you should cherish forever. Your back is where you are defenseless. Your back is where you are vulnerable. Ancient armours do have covering for the back in the form of a 'backplate'. But I discovered that spiritual armour makes no provision for your back. (see Ephesians 6:13-20). Paul concluded his admonition in that passage by appealing for prayers from the brethren. That is one way to keep your back; other people you trust. Let us learn something from David- the king who fought wars all his life. How did he keep his back?
I will take you straight to the battlefield where David was at it as usual. No war is easy especially when your king is fighting too. Most often than not, David was there. This time, they were at war with the ever-deadly Philistine army. For the first time and only, we read that 'David grew faint' right in the midst of a battle and right in the front of giants! (see 1 Samuel 21:15-17). Here David was at his lowest and this particular enemy was positioned to strike David just once and that would be it. But someone was watching out for David! Abishai came on time and strike the enemy to save David. This most likely happened more than once. No wonder David dedicated all his victories first to God in chapter 22 of 1 Samuel; and in chapter 23, he paid tribute to his 'mighty men'. Oh Lord, give me more friends like Lanre! And make me so to some more.
David used this strategy all through his life. He always had someone to watch his back. This was another battle of his life; his mentor turned his tormentor. Remember when his life was in peril under the reign of King Saul? There was Jonathan. David had to trust Jonathan with his back. At that time he said to Jonathan 'Kill me yourself, don't betray me to your father'. (see 1 Samuel 20). And Jonathan said 'Far be it! I will certainly tell you if my dad tries to kill you'. The person you trust with your back must love you like he loves his own soul as seen between David and Jonathan. (1 Samuel 20:17). Jonathan then went back to his father to determine his state of mind towards David. Saul even tried to make Jonathan hate David. He told the boy; 'You rebel! Do you not see that as long as David lives, you will never be king?' (see 1 Samuel 20:30-31). But Jonathan was far gone for David. He saved David. David wept, touched by this unusual loyalty of a friend. Are you taking stock? You need some friends like this, I tell you.
Another time, David faced a different battle in his life; his own son, flesh and blood turned a thorn in his flesh. Absalom wanted his father dead. And father fled for son. All the ever faithful friends of David left with him. And David saw danger in that; he needed someone to watch his back. He found that person in Hushai the Archite. (see 2 Samuel 15:32-37). Hushai was the very answer to David's earlier prayer against Ahithophel in 1 Samuel 15:31; 17:14-16. He saved David's life with a counter-advice to Ahithophel's to Absalom. The friend you can leave your back to, is the best of all. In art of war, it is your enemies that you should keep where your eyes can see. Let your friends be where you cannot see.
Watching your back is being accountable. Our world has never been so lonely even though so connected. Few people are truly sharing; very few. Do you have friends who can talk with you and talk to you; pray with you and pray for you? Too many friends backbite one another; too many. They cannot talk to your face; they do at your back. Whatever he told you about that guy, he will tell others worst about you too. You need friends you can talk to. There is nothing too secret you cannot tell someone, you only need one who can keep your back. One thing at everyman's back is the place prone to offensive smell. The person that has your back should be ready for some of your mess; and still protect you while he corrects you. Do not take yourself too seriously; you cannot afford to think you have everything taken care of. Your friend will see that opening you did not cover. You need not be reminded that life is a fierce battle. A friend is a covering in the day of battle. The lion has her pride in her group. In fact, a group of lions is called a 'pride'. Lions do not go alone, in spite of their strength. Hunters learn to isolate some animals to prey on them. The devil has destroyed many warriors this way. Do not be the next.
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