True Friends

O. T. #1473  "True Friends"
June 28, 2019
Proverbs 17-Part 3
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

LET IT GLOW

When the chips are down or when trouble hits, through thick and thin, how many friends do you really have? It has been said that people who have 3 good friends in their lifetime are fortunate. So I looked up Scriptures which contained "friends" and most are found in Proverbs.

What does Solomon have to say about friends?

• The rich/wealthy have many friends. (14:20) People can buy their friends, but are they truly friends because  the rich person is loved or because their money is loved and for what it can profit? I call them users.
• A gossiper repeats matters and separates the best of friends. (16:28;17:9) The one who spreads your deep secrets is only going to hurt you and doesn't care about you.
• A friend loves at all times. (17:17) We can choose our friends but not our family, an old cliché.

Genuine friends are loyal. I think of Jonathan and David being the best of friends. When David played music in the palace and when David was running for his life from Jonathan's father, Jonathan remained a faithful friend. A friend loves us at all times and vice versa. So when the chips are down, you find out who really loves you.
Friends are closer than brothers because they are available all the time, not just in the crisis. (McArthur)
Are we that kind of friend?

LET IT GROW

Brothers and sisters often fight when growing up, right? Sadly, sometimes what begins in childhood  continues throughout adulthood. Who knows, we may have been born into such a family for such a time as this.

Christ is a true friend and brother that loves us at all times, even to the end as He did his disciples.  (John 13:1) He even forgave those who put Him on the cross to die.

There we have it-be a loving friend and brother or sister.

LET IT GO

Love as Jesus loved.
Forgive and love those who are unloving toward me.