Wednesday May 03rd, 2023
Meditate on: Proverbs 18:24NKJV
« A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.»
Read: Luke 11:5-8 NKJV
5 Then Jesus said to them, “suppose you have a friend, and you go to them at midnight, and say to them, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves’ of bread
6 a friend of mine in his journey has stop to see me, and I have no food to offer him”.
7 Suppose the one inside answers, “don’t bother me. The door is already locked and my children are with me in bed; I can’t get up to give you anything”.
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up to give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Friendship is so important, powerful and beneficial to human life.
Unfortunately, it is commonly said that true friends are very scarce.
The reality of this statement is a fact we live with everyday.
However, my question today is, what can we do to change this situation?
It is not enough for you to add your voice to those lamenting that there are no true friends; you should do something about it.
The answer is not far-fetched: it lies in each of us deciding to be a true friend to those we choose us as friends!
Ask yourself, how true and genuine are you to those who consider you their friend?
It’s amazing when we consider that Jesus Christ describes us as His friends. He said to us in John 15:13-14:
« Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. »
In today’s Bible reading, he also reveals to us the cost of being a true friend.
A friend goes the extra mile to make his friends happy because he shares in their happiness.
As followers of Jesus Christ, through the world may practice supernatural form of friendship characterized by denial, betrayal and backstabbing, we must be different.
As the light of the world, we must teach the world what true friendship means.
It is true that friendship attracts a high premium and can be demanding.
This is why you must choose the number of friends you can effectively and faithfully manage.
Many people mistake mere acquaintance for friendship, this is wrong.
An acquaintance cannot pay the price that friendship demands.
This is why many people feel disappointed when their expectation from a casual associate at work or brother in church is not met.
When the Bible says there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), it reveals another misconception that must be corrected in the Body of Christ.
The fact that someone is a Christian brother/sister does not mean they are a friend!
Although a brother or sister in Christ should not be taken as an enemy, nevertheless, do not expect much from such a fellow.
Beloved, the good news for you today is that Jesus can be that perfect friend you desire.
How true are the words of this hymn written by Joseph Scriven: What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grieve to bear; what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
Make Him your friend today, and He will never disappoint you.
Application: Reach out to Jesus and make Him your friend by doing His will always.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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