Thursday - Proverbs 27 - Hello, Friend

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T’S one thing to be friendly, but it is quite another thing to be a friend.  We can be friendly to strangers.  We can be friendly to people that we don't even like.  We can even be friendly to people who are in no way friendly to us.  But what does it mean to be a friend? Jesus is a friend to us, so can we be like Him to others?  Proverbs 27:6 says ''faithful are the wounds of a friend."  Wow!  So, a friend doesn't just give you what you want or speak flatteringly to you just to make you feel good?  No!  A friend is willing to speak the truth even when the truth is painful.  Of course, it doesn't have to be negative.  Friends give good advice (27:9).  A friend is there when you need him, or her; at least they are supposed to be (27:10).  A friend knows when to leave you alone and when to keep quiet (27:14).  Friends rub off on each other (27:17).  Friends understand each other (27:19).  Friends are friendly, yes (18:24), but more importantly they are loving and trusting allies.

David and Jonathan were fast friends (2^nd Samuel 1:26).  Jesus and John were close friends (John 21:20).  Zabud was Solomon's friend (1^st  Kings 4:5).  I'm sure you can think of others in and out of the Bible who had wonderful lifelong friendships.  What kinds of things were present in those friendships?  What types of things were absent?  Are friends presumptuous?  Boastful?  Hateful or vengeful?  Envious?  Or, are friends careful, patient, constant and true?  Friendship requires work and sacrifice, time and effort, communication and forgiveness, honesty and openness.  If you and I make one true and lifelong friend in our journey, we will have done well.