20 DAYS IN 2 HOURS CHALLENGE: “BLESSINGS” (DAY-1)

A LOYAL AND DEPENDABLE FRIEND IS A BLESSING FROM GOD

BIBLE PASSAGE:
But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God,
as we walked about among the worshipers.
(Psalm 55:13-14)

MEDITATION:
Charles Hadden Spurgeon (19th Century English Preacher) said,
“Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have
failed beneath the bitterness of their trial, had they not found a friend”.

A friend really knows us.
“Somebody who knows all about us and loves us anyway”.
“The one who steps in, when the whole world steps out”.
“A friend is one who never gets in the way,
except when we are on the way down”.

A friend is someone who loves us.
“A friend loves at all times”. (Proverbs 17:17)

A friend loves us when all is going well,
and when things are going bad.
“Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)
Note:
“laying down our life”,
could mean giving up our time to help a friend.

A friend has things in common with us.
We may not agree on everything,
but we respect our differing opinions.
Two friends (Jehu and Jehonadab) were going to war
to fight a common enemy and Jehu basically asked
Jehonadab if they had the same mindset.
After he left there, he came upon Jehonadab son of Rekab, who
was on his way to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, “Are you
in accord with me, as I am with you?” “I am” Jehonadab answered.
“If so,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he did, and Jehu helped
him up into the chariot. (2 Kings 10:15)
Note:
    We should remember that to enjoy a friend, we need to
    have more in common than disliking the same people.

A friend protects us.
Johathan protected David from
his father Saul, who wanted to kill him.
(1 Samuel 19:1-24, 20:1-42)

A friend makes us happy.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; and the pleasantness
of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27:9)
Because they know us so well,
friends know what can bring us happiness.
With good friends, we can enjoy simple things;
we enjoy just spending time with them.

A friend encourages us.
Onesiphorus was a friend who was devoted to
keeping Paul’s spirits high while he was in a Roman jail.
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,
because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my
chains. (2 Timothy 1:16)

We enjoy being with a friend.
Paul looked forward to being with the Philippian
church because he remembered their fellowship.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5)

A friend helps us when we are in trouble.
The Good Samaritan was that kind of friend – he went the
extra mile to help a wounded man on the road to Jericho,
when others were ignoring him.
(Luke 10:30-35)

A friend is loyal.
“A friend loves at all times”. (Proverbs 17:17)
They are always available when we need them.
They will defend us whenever others disrespect us.

Sam Davis (a Confederate spy) was captured by the Union
Army, was placed before the firing squad, and was told,
“If you will give us the name of the man who gave you the
information we found on you, you may go free”.
Sam replied:
“If I had a thousand lives
I would give them all before I would betray a friend”.

A friend brings out the best in us.
“As iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another”
(Proverbs 27:17)

Henry Ford:
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me”.

Constructive criticism from a friend is beneficial,
but constant criticism jeopardizes a relationship.
Robert Lynd:
“Friendship will not stand the strain of
very much good advice for very long”.

Barnabus was the type of friend who could bring out the best in others.
After Paul was saved, many Christians were not sure his conversion
was genuine, but Barnabus went out of his way to find Paul
and work with him until he became a well-known and
respected Christian leader.

A friend is interested in our spiritual well-being.
Job wanted that kind of friend:
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.”
(Job 16:21)

Later, when he prayed for his friends,
Job was rewarded for practicing what he preached.
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his
fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
(Job 42:10)

False friends will not help us in times of trouble:
Look at the contrasts of a man with no friends (John 5:1-9),
and a man with caring friends (Luke 5:17-26).

When God allowed Satan to test Job with
problems and plagues, his friends deserted him.
Eventually Job became frustrated
by the lack of encouragement from his friends.
“I have heard many things like these; you are miserable
comforters, all of you! Will your long-winded speeches
never end?” (Job 16:2-3a)

Here is what he said about them:
“they scorned me” (Job 16:10)
“they forgot me” (Job 19:14)
“they detest me; they turned against me” (Job 19:19)
“they failed to pity me” (Job 19:21)
Job felt that failure to help a friend was not pleasing to God.
(Job 6:14)

Sometimes people acquire false friends through:
– Money (Proverbs 19:4, 14:20)
– Entertainment (Luke 15:13)
– Sex (Proverbs 5:3-13)
– Flattery (Proverbs 29:5)

People who are bitter, resentful, angry or negative can have
a harmful impact on our life and attitude.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not
associate with one easily angered or you may learn their
ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs 22:24)
But it is a blessing whenever we have a friend who brightens
our day, brings joy into our lives, and makes us smile.

Even their worst efforts to make us smile can create joy
in our lives, because we know they care about us, are not
self-centered, and have a desire to see us happy and smiling.
Sometimes they are misjudged, as others
question whether or not they can be serious.

The truth is, they are serious every day about their concerns
for others; and, quite often they are the very ones who can
provide what is needed when serious situations arise.
Why? Because they live their life with a desire
to see joy and happiness in the lives of others,
which means they are sensitive to their needs.

In summary, a friend knows us, loves us, has things in common
with us, protects us, makes us happy, helps us when we are in
trouble, is loyal, encourages us, brings out the best in us, and is
interested in our spiritual well-being.
We should cherish the good friends we have,
and never take them for granted.
In order to have a friend, we need to be a friend.

ACTION:
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine
how the Lord wants us to serve Him.
If we are struggling with what He wants us to do,
we can start by being a sincere friend to someone.

In being a true friend, we learn how to make personal sacrifices,
control our tongues, pray intercessory prayers, and encourage.
Rather than allowing the troubles of this life to cause a negative
attitude in you, look for ways to encourage and lift the spirits of
others (think of what you can do or say that will make them smile).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of friendships.
Help me to develop a greater appreciation for the true
friends in my life. Help me to be a better friend to others.
Thank You, Lord, for being a friend to everyone; help us
to cherish Your friendship above all others.”

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