This is an effort to get you to define who your friends really are. Who is it that you can absolutely depend on?
I believe that you can determine this more in difficult circumstances than in situations where life is good and things are going well. The Bible is full of chapters and verse about friendship even unto death. According to the Bible friends love each other, do not forsake each other, and more than anything a friend can be trusted.
Even when a friend criticizes you, he or she is doing so to help, protect, build you up and correct you. “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:6.
When all hell is breaking loose in your life, will your friends pray with you? Pray for you? Will your friends suggest maybe you ought to have a talk with the Lord?
By example, Job’s friend knew where he should turn. “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted…” Job 5: 8-9.
Now whatever you think about the motives of Job’s friends, you got to give them credit for knowing where to seek help. All I’m asking you is which one of your so-called friends will point you in the right direction? I pray you have several, although one will surely do.
I can’t help but be reminded of Christ and the paralytic. “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
This is mind-boggling to me. Jesus healed somebody because his friends had faith. Can you believe that? The folk you hang out with may not be the folk who have faith in you. But the people who have faith, the ones who will take you and your problems to the Lord, are the ones He listens to, often times on your behalf.
These are the kind of friends I need. I believe I have a couple in my life, and I am very thankful for them. Can you identify those in yours? No one should go through life without a friend who will pray for you, if not with you, and let you know that’s what you should be doing also.
Mark 2 just lets us know that God pays attention to such things and values such friends. Their love for you acknowledges their faith in Him, and I think He welcomes them for their faith and you for bringing it out in them. Now that’s something to shout about.
