Good morning, friends! What joy it is to be forever friends because we are sisters in Jesus! During the month of November we’ve joined the girls and counselors in focusing on wisdom about relationships. Let’s specifically think on the precious gift of friendship together one more time.
Turn to Proverbs chapter 20 to get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!
LOYAL FRIENDS
Many will say they are loyal friends,
but who can find one who is truly reliable?
Proverbs 20:6, NLT
In the book of Proverbs Solomon tells us that what each one of us desires is unfailing love (19:22). We want friends who will love us just the way we are, who will be there for us when we hurt, who will throw a party for us when we’re celebrating, who will extend forgiveness and grace when we mess up.
Solomon acknowledges that these friends are rare. Many a man (woman) claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man (woman) who can find? (20:6) The Hebrew word that is often translated unfailing love is hesed. It’s a rich word that describes God’s covenant love – His mercy and steadfastness.
Lamentations 3:22-23, speaks of the merciful and steadfast love God has for us: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
God is a Friend like no other. He loves us just the way we are – God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He’s there for us when we hurt – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). He rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17), forgives our failures (1 John 1:9), and from the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another (John 1:16).
Dear friends, since God so loved us [with unfailing, merciful and steadfast love], we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11). Ruth demonstrated unfailing love to her mother-in-law Naomi when she said, Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).
Jonathan and David promised unfailing love to one another. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself (1 Samuel 18:3). Their sworn friendship translated from words to action when Jonathan warned David that King Saul wanted to kill him, and when David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, providing for all his needs and inviting him to always eat at his table (2 Samuel 9).
“Ruth” and “Jonathan”-like friends are a precious gift from God. May we seek loyal friends and be loyal friends who give unfailing love.
Wisdom Step: Think about your friendships, one by one. Are you demonstrating unfailing love?
Happiness isn’t in possessions, education, or sensory ability. Happiness is found in relationships. And life’s greatest happiness is found in life’s greatest relationship: a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Kenneth L. Tangen
No comments:
Post a Comment