Daily Devotional Day 39 (02/08/2024) A Friend Loves at All Times

Author: Missionary Jamie Hoffman

A Friend Loves at All Times
 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Devotional
I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “no man is an island.” John Donne’s “No man is an Island” is about the connection between all humankind. Donne argues that people need each other and are better together than they are in isolation, because every individual is one piece of the greater whole that is humanity itself. The reality is we all need each other. God did not make us to exist in isolation. Everything God created can produce something else. Grass doesn’t grow in one tiny patch, it covers the entire ground. People need people.

Years ago, while visiting my childhood church during fellowship time, everyone just broke out singing, “I need you to Survive,” by Hezekiah Walker. I will admit at first while giving hugs to family and friends I hadn't seen in years, I thought it was a bit awkward to be full out singing to everyone. But, in the midst of singing those words, these specific lyrics stood out to me” I need you, you need me. We’re all a part of God’s body…it is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me. I need you to survive.” In a world where it seems love has truly waxed cold, we need to be spreading God’s love every chance we get. You see, God wants us not only to survive so we can make it to glory, but He wants us to thrive, so we can help someone else along the way.

The trick of the enemy is to make us feel like we are all alone and nobody cares about us or understands what we are going through in life. The trick of the enemy is to isolate, divide, conquer, and then destroy the individual. However, when the stinking little, dirty, nasty, devil knows he is up against some real life sold out soldiers who know that where two or three are gathered in the name of the Lord, God will be in the midst–the enemy has to flee because there is power in the presence of combined believers. That is why it is so important to surround ourselves with solid friendships. Good friends help hold us accountable, pray for and with us, support us, push us to be better, comfort us, and tell us the truth, even if the truth hurts.
As we let our lights shine daily, I believe that others will be drawn to know more about this joy, love, and peace that we have that makes us declare victory when it looks like we are facing a losing battle. That makes us praise, dance, and shout when we should be crying. When was the last time you made a new friend and let them know that Jesus loves them, and so do you?    

Prayer
Lord, help me to form, keep, and maintain healthy friendships of love. Help me to have friendships of love where You are at the forefront of my words, actions, and thoughts. Allow me to be a light that would draw others to You so that You can get all the glory from my life.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.