The Blessing Of Friendship

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” 

Emerson probably nicked that saying from Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. “A man that has friends must show himself friendly…” (Proverbs 18:24) Life is richer when we have good friendships.

The Apostle Paul throughout his ministry, built friendships. He names quite a few of them in Romans Ch.16 and Colossians Ch.4 People like Onesiphorus, “who oft refreshed me” (2 Timothy 1:16)

Or Philemon, of whom he said, “I have great joy and consolation in your love…” (Philemon 1:7)

Priscilla and Aquila, “Who risked their own necks for my life” (Romans 16:3)

Phoebe, “who helped me.” (Romans 16:2) “Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother.” (Colossians 4:9)

Some friendships are lifelong. Some have been forged in the fires of adversity. Some are long distance friendships, but when we do meet, we just pick up where we left off. Friendships are good for the soul. They can cheer us, challenge us, inspire us and strengthen us. 

Once Henry Ford was having lunch with a man when he suddenly asked him, “Who is your best friend?” The man started naming certain people. “No.” said Mr. Ford, “I will tell you who your best friend is.” He took out a pencil and wrote on a napkin this sentence: “Your best friend is the one who brings out the best in you.” 

Jesus had twelve men He made very close friendships with. Out of that twelve He had three who were especially close, Peter, James and John. In His most and significant and poignant moments, it was those three He drew closest to Himself. Even the Son of God, in His humanity, showed us we cannot relate to everyone on the same level. It’s not everyone you can share your heart with. There are just some people we just feel much closer to than others. The second half of Proverbs 18:24, which was quoted earlier, says, “but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”

Some friends are true blue. Even when kith and kin fail you they stick by you. A real friend is the one who walks in when everyone else walks out.

David had a true friend in Jonathan. When Jonathan’s father King Saul wanted to kill David in jealousy and rage, Jonathan saved David’s life. Even though he knew that David was God’s choice to be the next King of Israel, and that would rule him out of being able to succeed his father to the throne, yet his love for David was so great he wanted David to succeed. 

1 Samuel 18:1 “…and the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 

Everybody should have a friend. Everybody should be a friend. 

If someone struggles to find a friend, here is a good tip from Dale Carnegie, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

- Pastor David Goudy