True-blue Friendship

Wealth brings many friends,but a poor man’s friend deserts him.

Proverbs 19:4 (NIV)

Solomon is making a sad commentary, not on the way things should be, but on how, sadly, things often are. As we know, Solomon was very wealthy, famous, and powerful. Maybe he sometimes wondered if some of the people who seemed to be his friends really weren’t. In a way, that would be very sad. J. H. Jowett once said, “The real measure of our wealth is how much we should be worth if we lost all of our money.”

So what is the message and lesson for us as women? Don’t be a fair-weather friend. We live in such a lonely world. Therefore Proverbs 18:24 tells us, “[She] who has friends must [herself] be friendly” (NKJV). The best way to have a friend is to be one.

You can have fun going out to lunch or shopping with a friend, but when you walk with her through hardship, you are bonded for life. When David was out of favor and living as a fugitive, Jonathan was a true friend to him. First Samuel 23:16 tells us, “Then Jonathan . . . arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God” (NKJV).

Proverb 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a [sister] is born for adversity” (NKJV).

Let me close by sharing some fun, important, sweet things friends have done that blessed me. Jewell stopped by with a basket of fruit from her garden. Lynne sent me a package in the mail. Peggy called to talk about what we read that morning in The One Year Bible. Maggy called to pray, and Christy sent some pictures her kids had colored for me.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Did you know that God can give you “divine insight”? He can. Would you like to be his ambassador of love? Close your eyes and pray, “Lord, is there someone who needs a message of cheer?” Keep asking until he puts someone on your heart. Then ask him to give you a secret way to deliver something to impart joy, a serendipity. Secretly deliver a pot of flowers, money in an envelope, a gift card for groceries, an uplifting book . . . Let the Lord show you. I guarantee, you will be the one with the biggest smile at the end of the day.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 12:19–14:17; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5