EVERYTHING WE NEED: A True Friend

We do not interact with most friends on a regular basis, although we may go on group trips, eat out together or fellowship with others at church.The Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:12-13 NIV1984). This is our calling — the way we are to respond to others.

A woman may have a close friend who not only shares her common interests but is also loyal and trustworthy. Such a one we call a “true” friend. Here are eight qualities that describe her:

• She senses when something is wrong and is quick to comfort and console.

• She has a listening ear and knows when to talk and when to be quiet.

• She does not judge or criticize.

• She accepts the person as she is without expectation.

• She does not gossip or reveal to others what has been told to her in confidence.

• Her purpose isn’t to solve a problem but just to give emotional support.

• She is truthful but in a compassionate and caring way, speaking words of encouragement and comfort.

• She shares her friend’s burdens by praying with and for her.

These characterize a genuine friend who lives what Paul stated in Colossians 3.

The three friends of Job — what kind of friends were they? You recall how God allowed Satan to test Job in every way but take his life to prove that His servant was “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). As a result, Job lost everything — family, servants, livestock, house and health. It seemed too much to bear.

Job’s friends — Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar — heard of his troubles and went quickly to sympathize and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance and didn’t recognize him, they began to weep. “Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was” (Job 2:11-13).They were true friends, wouldn’t you say? They also exhibited the apostle’s words. But then they got off track. They heard Job say “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil” (Job 3:25-26). He wished he had never been born. This man was in despair andneeded compassion, concern and support.

The friends started out well but then began to say that his troubles were a result of his sin. They chastised him the way they thought God was doing. God later rebuked them for talking without knowledge. They were in no way qualified to speak for God, nor did they know what had happened between Him and Satan.

Despite all that happened, Job said that he would never lose hope in God (Job 12:15). Job thought he could defend himself, but after listening to God speak, he acknowledged his wrongdoing. God blessed the latter part of his life more than the first. God was a true, steadfast friend through it all.

Jesus said, “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). While we may never have (or be) the perfect friend, we have Jesus Christ as our example to follow. His love is always unconditional.