Victory Has A Hundred Fathers

In 1961, when President John F. Kennedy was taking a lot of flak in America for his administration’s failed attempt to invade Cuba, in the Bay of Pigs incident, he is reported to have said, ‘Victory has a hundred fathers, but defeat is an orphan.’ In other words, when you are successful lots of people want to be associated with you. But when you fail, you are on your own. There’s more than a grain of truth in that.

There are those who are just fair-weather friends. They love being around you when you are on the up and up. But the first time you stumble, they are off. Truth is, people like that were never really your friend in the first place. True friends are faithful. They stand with you through thick and thin. They want you to succeed in life and are happy for you to do so. But, when you hit a sticky patch, and things go pear shaped, they still want to be there for you in the difficult seasons of your life.

The Bible says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (NIV).

The Apostle Paul was without doubt the most well-known Christian of the 1st century. He travelled extensively raising up churches wherever he went. He had many friends. In the last chapter of Romans, he lists dozens of names as his friends. He also had some very close intimate friends. People like Timothy, Titus, Luke, and Silas. But just like the rest of us, when things get tough, there are those who back off. Here’s how he puts it in 2 Timothy 1:15 “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” We don’t know who exactly these two characters were, but they left Paul when he needed them in a difficult season. But thank God for those who stick closer than a brother. In the very next verse he writes, Vs. 16 “The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.”

Only God Gives A Friend

I think that God will never send,

A gift so precious as a friend.

A friend who always understands, 

and fills each need as it demands,

Whose loyalty will stand the test, 

When skies are bright or overcast.

Who sees the faults that merit blame,

But keeps on loving just the same,

Who does far more than creeds could do, 

To make us good, to make us true,

Earth’s gifts a sweet contentment lend, 

But only God can give a friend.

-Rosalie Carter

- Pastor David Goudy