A Faithful Friend

A friend loves at all times,And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 (NKJV)

This proverb shows us why we need friends. It also shows us not just what we need in a friend, but what we need to be as a friend. The question is, who are you?

Everyone loves a winner. Everyone loves to know and be with someone who has a lot going for them and is well respected by the well-respected people. It’s fun to be in the right circle. Even in churches and ministries there are “in” and there are “out” circles. That’s human nature, but deep bonds aren’t made in shallow pools.

In the Bible we see a picture of friendship between Jonathan and David. The true test of that friendship was when David was an outcast. It was not politically correct for Jonathan to stay close to David. He could have distanced himself and played it safe. But he made a choice. He would pay the price to walk alongside his friend as the underdog, because that’s when his friend needed him the most. “Tried and true” means there is a trial that shows who is true. Again, the question is, who are you?

But no discussion of a friend could ever be complete without speaking of the friend who is truest and sweetest of all. “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Now, honestly ask yourself, Am I a friend who loves at all times? After I wrote this sentence, I immediately thought of someone who has moved to a new city. It’s hard to start over. She has been on my heart. So I stopped and picked up the phone just to let her know I’m thinking of her. This week, let’s do more of that. As you drive to church on Sunday, will you ask the Lord to give you a “be a friend” moment? Reach out to someone who is new, a widow, the mother of a handicapped child, or a woman still reeling from a recent divorcee. As you fill the friendship cup of others, your own cup becomes full.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18