A Friend in Need. . .
We often recite a saying that goes, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” The thrust of that maxim is closely related to Proverbs 17:17, which says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
The first part of the proverb says that it doesn’t matter to a true friend in what situation you are. If things are going well for you, they will be right next to you, soaking in the sunshine. If things are cruising along in the normal humdrum of everyday life, you can count on them. But the true test of whether somebody is your friend is whether or not they will be there for you when things are difficult. A true friend will weather the storm and stick right by your side.
If you have money, if you’re a fun person, if you’re a popular person, you can count on having a lot of “friends” around you. However, if you run out of money and your popularity takes a nose dive, the great majority of those “friends” will vanish into thin air. According to this verse, the ones who are left are your true friends. Remember the story Jesus told about the prodigal son? He had lots of “friends” who helped him party and spend his money, but when there was no more money, they left him to feed the pigs and wish for their food. A true friends loves at all times.
Since this is true, when you encounter adversity or difficulty, the person you need most is a true friend. A friend who sticks by you when you are hurting or going through a bad time is a friend indeed. They may not be the flashiest or most exciting people, but they are true friends. A most important quality to look for in a friend is loyalty.
Are the people around you true friends? Are they “friends indeed”? Are they loyal? Will they be there for you when things aren’t going so great? What about you? Are you a “fair weather friend” or one who is “born for adversity”?
The first part of the proverb says that it doesn’t matter to a true friend in what situation you are. If things are going well for you, they will be right next to you, soaking in the sunshine. If things are cruising along in the normal humdrum of everyday life, you can count on them. But the true test of whether somebody is your friend is whether or not they will be there for you when things are difficult. A true friend will weather the storm and stick right by your side.
If you have money, if you’re a fun person, if you’re a popular person, you can count on having a lot of “friends” around you. However, if you run out of money and your popularity takes a nose dive, the great majority of those “friends” will vanish into thin air. According to this verse, the ones who are left are your true friends. Remember the story Jesus told about the prodigal son? He had lots of “friends” who helped him party and spend his money, but when there was no more money, they left him to feed the pigs and wish for their food. A true friends loves at all times.
Since this is true, when you encounter adversity or difficulty, the person you need most is a true friend. A friend who sticks by you when you are hurting or going through a bad time is a friend indeed. They may not be the flashiest or most exciting people, but they are true friends. A most important quality to look for in a friend is loyalty.
Are the people around you true friends? Are they “friends indeed”? Are they loyal? Will they be there for you when things aren’t going so great? What about you? Are you a “fair weather friend” or one who is “born for adversity”?
posted by Mark Perry at 7:48 PM
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