Friend and brother

For Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity

Adversity is the test of true friendship. Many are those who are close at hand when we are doing well. We shouldn't think too negatively of the person who inquires after our well being, but seems uninterested if we talk about one of our burdens or problems: we all do it.

But when we have a friend that we can come to with our burdens, even just to be listened too, it is a precious gift. Even greater is the willingness of the true friend to offer other kinds of help, spiritual, financial, or just standing alongside.

When we have troubles many times it becomes an opportunity for people to decide that our troubles are a sign of our weakness or wickedness. Job experienced this, as did David. Paul too, as the Corinthian church needed to be reminded that the adversity Paul suffered was the sign of the faithfulness of his ministry, not the failure.

When a friend or brother stands by us when all seems to be against us, the deep love we were called to demonstrate is manifest.