The Power of a Friend

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

In our age of superficial relationships, a true friend is a true find! The writer shows us the value of a friend. A friend sharpens the countenance, or whets the edge of our desires. But care must be taken in just who we choose as a friend.

Amnon, the son of David, had a friend, his name was Jonadab. When Amnon’s heart was filled with lust for his own sister, he told his friend Jonadab, who instead of rebuking his filthy desires, furthered them by suggesting a way to get alone with his sister. Rape, revenge and murder were the results, all because of the power of a friend.

David had a friend too. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, next in line for the throne, saw David and his love for God and Israel and his heart was “knitted together” with David’s. Jonathan saw the hand of God on David, and even surrendered any claim he had to the throne of his father saying to David:

“and thou shalt be king over Israel , and I shall be next unto thee”. When David was fleeing from Saul in the wilderness, it was Jonathan who was able to go straight to him and “strengthen his hand in the Lord.” He was a godly friend to David.

I have had some Jonadab’s in my life, those who gave bad advice and ungodly counsel, but thank God, I have had some Jonathan’s in my life!

A brother in the servicemen’s home that put his arm around me and prayed with me in my time of testing.
The teacher who when I first arrived at school, came to my dorm and rang the doorbell, hugged my neck and said something like “Brother, I am glad you are here.”
The other NTCC pastor in the neighboring town, who when I was down about someone who had sinned, encouraged me.
My pastor who helped me through family problems and was generous in my time of financial need.

I thank God for all of the Jonathans, the godly friends God has given me, for truly there is power in having a true Christian friend!