“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.”

Proverbs 27:9
The concept of friendship has fallen on hard times. With the rise of Facebook and other social media sites, the word “friend” has become a shadow of its former self. Philosophers and thinkers from Seneca (d. 65 A.D.) to Ralph Waldo Emerson to C.S. Lewis have thought and written about the enriching benefits of having good friends. Those who have had deep friendships can testify to its benefits. Yet today many people confess to having few, if any, real friends with whom they can share their burdens.

Those who desire to walk the way of wisdom make friendship a priority in life. In the gospel, believers are called “friends of God” (James 2:23). Friends are steadfast, sticking with us through tough transitions and difficulties of life (Proverbs 17:17). Good friends “wound” us with faithful words of correction when our course needs to be redirected back into God’s perfect ways (27:6).

True friendship becomes the soil in which wisdom can grow as trust, accountability, mutual affection, and brotherly love are sown together.



Scripture Focus

1 Samuel 18

Insight

Give the Lord thanks today for making you His friend in Christ, and for the friends He has brought into your life!

Bible In A Year

  • Isaiah 47-48
  • Psalm 94
  • Acts 17

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