A True Friend

A True Friend

Proverbs 18:24 (NASB)

24 “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

     Jesse, the father of King David, had eight sons, David being the youngest (1 Samuel 16:10-11; 1 Samuel 17:12). But there is no record in the Old Testament of David being particularly close to any of his brothers. In fact, one of his older brothers acted harshly toward David (1 Samuel 17:28). David found a friend who epitomized the words of Solomon in Proverbs 18:24, “A friend who sticks closer than a brother.” That friend was Jonathan, the son of Saul.

     Friend had a covenant connotation. Jonathan and David made a mutual covenant between them; Abraham was the covenant friend of God. What did that mean? Loyalty, provision, protection, and sacrificial love—these were not something always found in brothers by birth. It should come as no surprise that Jesus, during His last meeting with His disciples, declared them to be His “friends” (John 15:13-15) by displaying the most telling trait of true friends: a willingness to lay down one’s life for another. All who walk in covenant with Jesus Christ are assured of His loyalty, provision, protection, and sacrificial love.

     Let Christ’s loyal love for you set the standard for how you love others. Be the friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 William Hendriksen said, “Jesus takes to heart the sufferings of His friends.”