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In Hope

What Is A Friend?

Friday September 23, 2022

We hang around with all sorts of people in a variety of situations.  We “friend” people on social media but what is a true friend?  How do we recognize a true friend and how can we be a friend to someone else?

The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good, but true friendship is better still. Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other. (Proverbs 27:9, 17 CEV)

Friends bring colour to our black and white world.  They give sweetness to our day and create thoughts that fill our memories. Friends are those we enjoy being with, find ourselves being more truthful with, feel comfortable with most of the time, and desire to have around us to share both our joys and our sorrows.  Friends often share common interests and draw things out of one another that would otherwise remain hidden.  With friends we are more willing to try new things and therefore accomplish more together than alone.  True friends watch out for each other, share with each other, and even make sacrifices for each other. 



You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies. Don’t desert an old friend of your family or visit your relatives when you are in trouble. A friend nearby is better than relatives far away. (Proverbs 27:6, 10 CEV)


True friends tell us the truth, not just what we want to hear or what is convenient in the moment.  They do not beat up on us with the truth but find the right way at the right time to confront us with things we need to hear.  There is a wisdom and depth of caring from a friend that is to be valued even though we may be challenged by them in any given moment.  We need to keep true friends close and learn from them, strengthened by their loyalty and honesty.

God offers us His friendship today.  The one who knows us best, loves us most, and has done more for us than anyone else, invites us to an intimate relationship with Him.  To accept God’s invitation is our choice.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am grateful for friends and all they contribute to the joy and stability of my life.  You are the friend who stays closer than a brother and I want to share my life with You.  Help me to listen to You and obey all You desire to teach me. Amen

©2022 Partners in Hope 

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