FRIENDSHIP.Sýnishorn

A friend is constant

There are several beautiful examples of the constancy of friendship in the Bible. Two of my favourites are probably the most well-known. With David and Jonathan, even though Jonathan’s father wanted to kill David, Jonathan remained steadfastly loyal to David. We learn that Jonathan loved David as himself (1 Samuel 18:1). Similarly, Ruth and Naomi had a friendship that led Ruth to leave behind her family and culture; they were so close they were like family. These friends were there for each other through thick and thin. It’s helpful to think about constancy as stickiness, because friends stick with you no matter what. A friend is there in the hard times more than the good. This means that biblical friendships are not disposable or fleeting. No matter the obstacles thrown at your friend, you remain stuck to them like glue. Of course, the opposite of this is the fair-weather friend—one who is only there in the good times. You may have some laughs but as soon as things get tough, they disappear. If a friend disappears in the hard times, are they really a friend? 

Question How can you be sticky in your friendships? Are you a friend who disappears when things get hard? If yes, how can you become a more constant friend? 

Prayer Heavenly Father, please help us to be friends who are constant. Just as Jesus is constant in his love for us, please help us to love and care for our friends through the thick and thin. Amen.