1 Samuel 20:41 (NKJV)
“As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.”

In a previous devotion, we examined “Openness” as one of the tests of deep relationships. Today, we examine “Expressed Love” as another test of a truly healthy and growing relationship.

Expressing love reflects a deep heart affection. Love expressed with a genuine heart is priceless, and we need to grow in this. We don’t compete; we press forward in love. We don’t compete, but we challenge each other to love more.

When we are in a deep and faithful relationship, we ought to exert ourselves to find ways to show more love to those we love. While not a competition, it should be an intentional desire to give more love than we receive.

When it became clear that David and Jonathan would be separated, they were both heartbroken as friends, but David seemed more affected and expressed this more vividly. Could it be that he loved more?

David bowed to the ground three times before Jonathan, and the Bible says that David wept more. For sure, Jonathan loved David very much, but as expressed in this passage, David’s heart seemed more heartbroken.

Aim to outdo your partner and friend in expressing love, not out of any negative emotion but from a sweet desire to love more. It is beautiful to watch people in love always think of more creative ways to express their love.

Are you in a good and healthy relationship? Is it a deep and godly relationship? Does that relationship really matter to you? Is the other party committed to the relationship? If so, don’t withhold love but give it more lavishly.

Love that is hidden is not true love, and love that cannot be expressed is not true love. Of course, there are gender restrictions on how love can be shared if we are not married. But true friendship is where love is shared in a godly and transparent way.