*By Tammy Maes, CLW Contributing Writer
Proverbs 18:24
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
It is easy for people to be a friend when things are going well, but godly friends will stick by you when you are facing trials and tribulations in life.
In the book for 1 Samuel, we read of the story of the godly friendship between David and Jonathan. 1 Samuel 18:1 says, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” This special friendship is what kept David alive when Saul was trying to kill him. Jonathan risked his own life to keep David safe.
There will be times when our friends will go through the toughest of times; the loss of a loved one, strain at work, health crisis, difficulty with children.
The world’s solution is to walk away and these are the times our friends will need our support most. The simple act of showing you care through a phone call, visit, or great big hug can be the most loving thing you can do in that moment.
Praying for our friends is an important quality to have in every friendship. The Bible teaches us that the prayers of friends gave blessings to others. Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Are you bringing your friends to God in prayer? Are you seeking the Lord’s help on their behalf? As we continue to love them, God will give us the strength to support them and help them to feel the love of Christ. Your specific prayer may be the one thing that brings them through their difficult time.
The world looks at friendships for what they can get from the other person. Be a godly friend looking for ways to support, show love and encourage your friends. Godly friends look at how they can help each other grow spiritually and support each other through all times of life.
Ask God to help you draw your friends into a closer relationship with Him today.
