12^th May

“Never abandon a friend – either yours of your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance… Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Proverbs 27:10a, 17

Friendship is without a doubt, one of the keys to our survival in this world. Jesus Himself knew, when He walked as human on this earth over 2000 years ago, that He needed friends, He chose 12 disciples to journey with Him. He even took Peter, James and John with Him in His final moments before His arrest, so as not to be alone. Take the examples of David and Jonathan, Moses and Aaron (as we read of yesterday), Elijah and Elisha, and Naomi and Ruth.

Friends are important to be there for you in times of need, as today’s reading says. Even when disaster strikes, friendships says ‘I’m there’ without the need of even asking. Friends can be honest with you and always have our best interests at heart. Friends are our best supporters, willing us on to succeed beyond our own interests and even at our own expense sometimes. Moreover, it is a true friend who can get the best out of you, sharpen you, tell you honestly when you stumble, help you get up from defeat and walk with you along life’s road, holding you accountable yet standing with you throughout.

Yet above all, our greatest friend and supporter, yes you guessed it, is Jesus Christ Himself. He is all of the above and so much more. He is our true friend. When our human friendship fails, and disappoints, Jesus is the one who is always there. We are His friends. He said so Himself, “There is no greater love that to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command” (John 15:12-13).