During you teen class Bible study on Sunday mornings, we are studying Proverbs. This Sunday, September 18, we will be walking through and unpacking some key scriptures from Proverbs 18. I know that most of you don't care about all this info., but I had to tell you all of that to get to this. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man of many companions may come to ruin..."
At first glance, this verse seems pretty depressing. I am "a man of many companions." Based on that fact, this verse tells me that I might "come to ruin." What depressing news. Despite the fact that I might have many people there to surround me and support me, I might get destroyed. I might get wiped out. This is not good news. The verse doesn't stop there. "...but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." This is great news.
Friends may fail me and leave me. Friends may turn their backs on me and put a knife in mine. Friends may not be there when I need them or want them. Friends may choose some other person to befriend or hang with. Friends may say "forget you." Not this friend. He sticks closer than a brother. He calms the storm with his words and gives a promise of making it safely to the other side. He forgives me after knowing all my failures. He accepts me for who I am, but loves me too much to leave me that way. He died so that I could live. There are not many people in my life who would do all those things for me. I am so glad he calls me "friend."
