July 2, 2025 -Chrisitan Friendships

PROVERBS 25:1-29:27

Chronological Bible Readings

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

I was talking to a friend last night and said something that could have been taken negatively but it was intended as a loving truth. And because we are friends and she knows my heart she trusted the words as a truth to value instead of as a wound. In fact she zeroed in on those words and allowed God to use them to help her and change her heart that was suffering.

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,

    and the pleasantness of a friend

    springs from their heartfelt advice.

I am grateful that God has made me a person who people come to for advise. I have been that person for as long as I remember. Even before I was saved. Now and am even more grateful that He has saved me and made me into a new person who usually give pleasant heartfelt advice. I am also very grateful that those same friends who would seek me out for advice are there for me when I need it and are pleasantly ready to give me heartfelt advice.

Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,

    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—

    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Sometimes our friends are closer to us not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. I think that is why God surrounds us with brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can go to them when we are in need. When disaster strikes it is not just physical needs that we have but emotional and spiritual. Having a family of believers in your life and being willing to turn to them is a beautiful gift that God has given us. Don't forsake it. I am so grateful for all the people that God has brought into my life to be there. This is a common comment made at our small group that meets at my house on Monday nights of how important our friendships are to one another. The group is called The Table. We gather around the table and share a meal and then feast on the word of God. But God does so much more in that time. It is remarkable how quickly everyone has been able to trust each other and love each other. We are able to share or joys and concerns. Our struggles and questions. Exactly who needs to be there is who shows up and the conversations we have are always exactly what needs to be talked about. And we are able to be there for each other in ways that our family may not be able to be. I hope that all of my friends know that my door is always open for anything they may need and there is always a seat at my table.

Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects the face,

    so one’s life reflects the heart.

As I read this in context of thinking about friendships and helping others, I realize that sometimes our life lived for Jesus is all a person might need. We don't always have to have the right words and be able to do anything to change their situation but if our hearts are humbled before Jesus and seeking to glorify Him our life will reflect that and that person can experience Jesus just by being part of our life.

Proverbs 28:26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,

    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

And as we walk through life when we are tempted to try to deal with it all on our own without reaching out and allowing the body of Christ to help us we are being foolish. The wisdom of God tells us not to do that. Let us walk in His wisdom and He will bring us through it all in His way and His timing.