Friends

Some thoughts on true friendship...

Proverbs 18:24 ~ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 17:17 ~ A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 27:10 ~ Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Friends are there for each other. When we face trials and have needs, true friends help us. This is especially important for those of us who do not live near any of our family. We must rely on friends because they are the resources we have where we are. We must also be reliable friends with open arms to those who are alone. Friends are faithful!

Proverbs 27:6 ~ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:9 ~ Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Proverbs 27:17 ~ Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Friends offer honest feedback in love. Sometimes what needs to be said is not pleasant, but we do it because that is part of being a true friend. We should be willing to take and give counsel from and to our friends. It is good for our very happiness to do so! We should build each other up and help each other grow sharper. Friends seek the sanctification of their friends.

Luke 15:6 ~ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luke 15:9 ~ And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Friends rejoice with their friends. We are not to become jealous when one of our friends has something good happen. Their happiness should be our happiness, too. This is harder than it sounds!

John 15:13-15 ~ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Our best Friend! Friends share their lives and a certain degree of intimacy, and that is what God has offered to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus, what a friend for sinners!

I know this is my second hymn this week, but I can't help myself. He is there when times are hard. He gives us wonderful counsel. He laid down His life for me. Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

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Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Refrain

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Refrain