Proverbs 17:17, New International Version

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

I remember when I first moved to North Carolina, almost sixteen years ago now. I quickly realized who my friends really were. There were not many. There were many times I would call to talk to my mom because I felt so alone. I had nobody, it felt like. She used to tell me, "I would rather have four quarters than a hundred pennies." I knew what she was saying, but at the time, I didn't even have four quarters. I was in a new place hundreds of miles from my family and didn't have any deep connection with anyone. I didn't even have God in my life at that time. There were definitely some tough times in my life. Looking back, I can see how God used that to bring me where I am today.

I still don't have too many close friends, but I know I have a couple of quarters I can depend on. I share this because true friendship is a gift from God. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” This means that at all times, through thick and thin, friends and family should be there for you to help you through times of adversity, through hardship. They are there to remind you, "Hey, this isn't what God says." Or "Hey, this is from the enemy, don't let that thought stay there." They remind you of the truth in God's word and as Proverbs also says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV)

Ecclesiastes reminds us that, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV) As brothers and sisters in Christ, it is important that we do not isolate ourselves from one another. It is important that we don't hide your light under a basket for nobody to see. We all need each other, to sharpen each other, to hold each other up, to strengthen the body of Christ. We are only as strong as our weakest link. But to do all of this, we must remember this: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NIV) The Him in this scripture is Jesus Christ. 

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1, NIV) This scripture reminds us that our foundation must be built upon Christ. Jesus said if you love Him to obey His commands. He also told us; the two greatest commandments were to love God and to love people. Building our foundation on Christ and working up from that foundation will empower us as Christians for those times of adversity and to be there for one another...to be one of those four quarters. Those four quarters are precious, especially in the day and age that we live in. There is only One who gave His only Son so that we would not perish but have eternal life...God our Father. There is only One who gave His life for us so that we could be redeemed and forgiven, so that we could spend eternity with our Father in heaven. He is Jesus. There is only One that sticks closer than a brother; only one that will be totally faithful to lead us into all truth and remind us of the things that we have learned—Holy Spirit. This One gave us to one another.

My brothers and sisters, there is value in having godly friendships that lead you closer to Christ. There is value, much, much value, in having a relationship with God our Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Do not neglect this friendship. Do not take for granted what we have in these friendships or the value of our participation in these friendships.