Proverbs 18:24
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A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
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Friendly people have all the friends they want. To make friends or keep friends, a person has to be friendly. When there is a shortage of friends, it proves a person is not friendly. Though they may think and talk of their efforts toward others, they are not truly friendly.
Friends love at all times, not just in prosperity (17:17). Friends give more than take (I Sam 18:3-4; 23:16). Friends give hearty counsel, not haughty advice (27:9). Friends love discreetly with charity (I Cor 13:4-7). Friends are always gracious (22:11). Friends sharpen each other (27:6,17). Friends are intimate (Ex 33:11; Deut 13:6). Friends show pity in affliction (Job 6:14; Ps 35:14). Friends trust each other (Ps 41:9). Friends rejoice in blessings (Luke 15:6; John 3:29). Where do you fail, dear reader?
Friends don't give advice before it is needed, meddle in private matters, presume on time, trivialize matters, have any pride, remember past faults, have any self-righteousness, or claim rights to affection. Have you ever offended in these ways, dear reader?
Exceptional friends are rare. If they were common, they would not be special. Great friends are better than family, for they will stick closer than any mere blood connection. Your brothers did not choose you, but true friends chose you for holy and noble reasons.
David and Jonathan were such friends. David valued Jonathan's love more than that of women (II Sam 1:26). His own brothers disdained him, but Jonathan loved him as his own soul (I Sam 16:1-13; 17:28; 18:1-4). So they made a binding covenant together.
When you find such a friend, do all you can to keep him. Sometimes this person may be an inherited friend from your father (27:10). When in trouble, you want to use this friend rather than family, for he will always be nearby in affection and be honored to help.
Saints should make the best friends, for blood is thicker than blood; that is, Christ's blood is thicker than any other bond. Consider the love of the Spirit (Acts 2:42-47; Phil 1:3-6).
Our Lord Jesus, the eternal Friend of your soul, did more than any friends do - He laid down his life for you, when you were His enemy (John 15:13; Rom 5:8). What brother would do that for you? Let the Lord Jesus Christ alone be the perfect fulfillment here!
Here are two simple lessons - friends require friendliness and great friends are better than family. And here we also see a hint of the Lord Jesus Christ, our eternal Friend.
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