“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
When you were little, did you ever say, “I don’t have any friends!”? Most children say this at some point. Even if they have some friends, they feel like they don’t.
We all need friends, and the Bible says a great deal about friends (Exodus 33:11; Proverbs 18:24; Proverbs 27:6; Proverbs 27:10; James 4:4; Proverbs16:28; Zechariah 13:6; John 15:13).
Friends are necessary to our happiness, but they must be faithful friends. Unfaithful friends break our hearts.
I have found that the best way to have a faithful friend is by BEING a faithful friend. I have also discovered that praying for a specific person every day will make that person my friend. Try it for a month. You will be amazed!
But our brothers and sisters are better than friends. The saying goes “Blood is thicker than water.” That is because God has given us siblings to befriend us. I watch my twin great-grandsons together and see their closeness. It is a beautiful thing.
My own sister is my best friend. She and I share experiences that bind us together. We are close in age, grew up together, both married doctors, both went to the mission field, and especially both of us are Christians in the Presbyterian church!
She is my faithful friend, and I know I can count on her for anything. I hope she knows that she can count on me.
Christians know that the most faithful friend of all is Jesus. He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
When I am lonely and need a friend (like I am often in my new place where I don’t know many people) I sing that beloved hymn by Joseph Scrivan:
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged–
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
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!
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee.
Thou will find a solace there.
I pray that you will find that Friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment