Friends/Family

Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”I had a close friend that used to use this verse incorrectly. He basically thought that it said a friend was better than having a blood line brother, because a brother is going to cause strife in our lives. It does not say that.What this verse means is; having a true friend, one that we know loves us, is greater because we can always depend on them loving us in good times and bad times. Their love for us will never change, never fade, never diminish. The last Part, “And a brother is born for adversity,” means that a loving brother is born to protect and defend us when times get hard. Yes, sometimes family does cause strife and they can be contentious, but they should be one of our greatest allies. Many of us have found out in lives that close friends are often better than family. Nevertheless, Solomon’s thought was genuine.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the gift of family. I know that not everyone has good family members and still others have great family members. Thank you for good friends. Friends that we can count on, friends that love us, friends that pray for us, friends that pick us up when we fall down, spiritual, emotionally, and physically. Thank you for friends that give us sound counsel. In Your name, Lord Jesus, Amen!