DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY April 12, 2022

A Safe Haven

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

Here’s what godly friendship looks like: people who love, comfort, and lift one another up so both feel safe and edified.

As flawed beings, we’re inclined to judge and rebuke others more often than necessary. Sure, the Bible mentions our responsibility to confront others, but those instances should be heavily outnumbered by displays of support for one another. Encouragement is a primary responsibility of Christian friendship—and part of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

Scripture says “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”. (Proverbs 17:17), keep one another warm, and lift up their fallen companions (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). God’s Word also tells us to encourage and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). If we clung to these verses, imagine what friendship would look like—a true safe haven, where people would come for edification and rest. Is that how you think of your friends? Is that how they think of you?

We readily recognize the expectations and responsibilities of many roles in life—for example, parent, spouse, sibling, student, coworker, leader, child, and volunteer. When we view friendship as a ministry of presence and encouragement, it will become the refuge that God designed.

Think about it

What can you do to celebrate and support a friend today?

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