“Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. The poor are shunned by all their relatives-how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.” Proverbs 19:4, 6-7

Lord Jesus, When I consider true friendship as Solomon teaches me, I’m tempted to identify people in my life who are my truest friends and those who are not. But that isn’t Solomon’s intent. He isn’t teaching me whom to avoid. He is teaching me how I might befriend people. He calls me to be a true friend even when there is nothing in it for me, but only something in it for them. He teaches me to be present especially when something is needed from me. I pray, Lord Jesus, give me these kinds of friends to walk with me in life and toward eternity so that I might live with you forever. Make me this kind of friend and put me in people’s lives so that I can walk with them toward eternity. And, most of all, be this kind of friend for me. Stay close to me Jesus and walk with me until I live with you forever. Amen.

Jesus is this kind of friend to you. He has promised that he himself will be with you always to the very end of the age. He has promised that he will be with you through the valley of the shadow of death. He has promised to send you the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who will teach and remind you of everything God has spoken. He will not abandon you. And he will send you the little “f” friends that you need to support and strengthen you. He has not let you down yet and he isn’t about to start.