Proverbs 18:24
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
King James Version (KJV)
It’s very hard in this day to find a solid friend. One who will support, encourage, and seek after your best interest without any ulterior motives. This life can get pretty lonesome and dog eat dog sometimes. But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. It’s thought provoking that Prov 17:17 teaches that a brother is born for adversity. In other words it’s a brother that you can count on even in the hardest of times. But the scripture says there’s one that sticks even closer. So many times we get so overwhelmed by the struggles of life that we feel all by ourselves. Maybe it’s the passing of a loved one and you feel nobody understands. You feel that nobody has empathy or sympathy. Maybe it’s a horrible break up or a close friend betraying you. It could be a mental, emotional, or spiritual storm that has raged on for years sucking all the energy out of you, leaving you without any joy and full of hopelessness. Maybe right now you’re in the darkest place you’ve ever been and feel forsaken and forgotten. There’s a friend that will be by your side. This friend loves you so much that he died for you even as you were a sinner. (Romans 5:8). He’s so much more than a friend King David calls him a shepherd that will provide,protect, and comfort us even in the valley of death! (Psalms 23) The writer of Hebrews calls him our high priest, that encourages us to come to the throne of Grace with confidence, in time of despair! Peter refers to him as savior. (2 Peter 1:1). Paul when come face to face with him on the road to Damascus refers to him as Lord. (Acts 9). He’s been called so many things. The Lilly of the valley, the rose of Sharon. In the gospel of John it’s taught the he’s the creator of all creation. But the most precious to me is friend. Yes he’s our savior! Yes he’s our Lord! But who are we that the creator of the world, the one who hung the stars, and tells the ocean where to stop, who according to Colossians 1:17 holds all things together, would take the time to be our friend? But not just a friend but a friend who sticks closer than s brother! This man is Jesus Christ and he’s promised to never leave or forsake us. Even in our deepest, darkest valleys, Christ can be found by our side. Call on the name of Christ and I assure that you’ll find a friend you can count on!
