Proverbs 18:24
The scripture for today is Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
The principle of reciprocity is true for most areas of our lives. The person who is blessed with faithful friends first gives from the storehouse of friendship that God has given to him or her. It is from sharing God's love and friendship with others that the blessings of love and friendship come back to us. Jesus said "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your lap. For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38 "Love begets love; and love requires love as its recompense." Friendship is a good plant; but it requires cultivation to make it grow." Adam Clarke It is good for us to be reminded that "a friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:1 A friend who will stick closer than a brother is a friend who has value for the life and welfare of another that is beyond natural inclinations.
It is the love of God, manifested between hearts, that causes them to stand with each other when all others forsake them. That is the love that Christ shows to all of us. When all is against us, Christ stands with us and for us. He did not allow us to be abandoned, He came and rescued us when we were hopelessly lost; He calls us His friends. What a wonderful and amazing truth; Jesus chose to identify with us and call us His friends. Jesus said: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:13-15 He is truly a friend that sticks closer than a brother. We must follow His example and love one another.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim