Friendship Through Good And Bad Times
Friendship: A Gift From God
Friendship is a gift from God—a reflection of His love, care, and presence in our lives. In a world where relationships can feel fleeting or shallow, the Bible calls us to something deeper. Real friendship is not built on convenience, popularity, or what we can get from others, but on faithfulness, truth, and love. Today, let’s look at what Scripture says about true friendship and how God Himself offers us the deepest friendship of all.
The Power of True Friendship
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV):
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
True friendship is not seasonal. A real friend is someone who stands with you through good and bad, success and failure. When adversity comes, a godly friend doesn’t run away—they lean in. These are people who don’t just love the version of you that has it all together—they love the real you.
Proverbs 27:6 (ESV):
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
True friends speak the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. They care more about your soul than your feelings. The world applauds flattery, but godly friendship is forged through truth, even when it hurts.
Friendship Requires Intentionality
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (ESV):
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
Friendship doesn’t just happen—it requires time, effort, and sacrifice. It means choosing to show up when it’s inconvenient. It means being present when someone is hurting. It means forgiving offenses and building trust again and again.
We were not created to walk this life alone. God designed us for community. And when we walk in friendship according to His Word, we mirror His character to the world.
Jesus: The Ultimate Friend
John 15:13 (ESV):
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus sets the standard for friendship. He laid down His life not for perfect people, but for sinners—for you and me. He called His disciples “friends” and offers that same relationship to us.
John 15:15 (ESV):
“No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.”
Imagine that—the Son of God calls you His friend. He doesn’t relate to us out of mere duty, but out of love. He is the friend who knows our worst and still offers His best. He never leaves, never betrays, and never changes.
Our Response to His Friendship
Because Jesus is our Friend, we are free to love others in the same way. We don’t have to demand perfection from our friends—we can offer grace. We don’t have to cling to shallow connections—we can build deep, spiritual friendships rooted in the gospel.
1 John 4:11 (ESV):
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Let’s be the kind of friends who point others to Jesus. Let’s be honest, forgiving, loyal, and prayerful. And most importantly, let’s never forget that our best friend is not far off—He’s near, waiting for us to walk with Him daily.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of friendship. Thank You for the people You’ve placed in our lives to walk with us, encourage us, and sharpen us. But most of all, thank You for the friendship we have in Jesus—one that never fails, never leaves, and never gives up.
Lord, help us to be godly friends. Teach us to forgive quickly, love deeply, and speak truth boldly. Heal the wounds of broken relationships and restore what’s been lost. And for those who feel alone, draw near to them. Let them know You are the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
We love You and we trust You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.