Feb. 27 Devotion: A Friend

A Friend

Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

There are many verses that deal with the fact that the Lord called us friends. Bro. Billy Dee mentioned this while preaching Wednesday night, and it’s been something that has just stuck with me. The Lord is the best friend a person could ever have. What kind of a friend am I?

When I think of a friend, there are some attributes and things that come to my mind. If you’re my friend, I’m emotionally invested. I care about what happens to you. When things go your way, I’m excited for you. When they don’t, I hurt for you. I share in your joy as well as your despair.

As a friend, I believe it’s okay to be inconvenienced. You need to talk, and it’s late? That’s okay. You need help, and it really wasn’t in my plans today? That’s okay as well. It seems that a lot of people today want that to only go one way or they want to call you friend, but then can’t be bothered to help. It might not always be possible, but if someone is never willing to help, then I’d question their friendship.

A friend should be a good listener. People don’t always need their problems solved. Sometimes they need you to listen. Just let them vent or share what really has them down. Just listen to them and show you care. Listen to them and keep it between the two of you. They aren’t sharing their heart with you just to call or text the first person you can think of to share what you were just told.

Last thing I’ll discuss today is the consistency of a good friend. They are consistent in their honesty with you. They are willing to tell you the truth. Even those hard truths when needed. They are consistent in their loyalty with you. You know you can depend on them.

It’s often said that if you have 5 true friends, then you are truly blessed. I have found that when you are willing to be that true friend to others, then it tends to enlarge your own friend circle.

Do you have others that call you friend and that true friend that they know they can count on?

God bless,

Bro. Josh Richardson