A True Friend

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 17:17

One day a conversation took place between God and Satan. It was about a man named Job. The Bible tells us that Job was blameless. He lived for God and tried hard not to sin (see Job 1:1).

God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil” (Job 1:8).

Satan said that Job feared God only because God had given him so much. Satan told God, “You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!” (Job 1:10).

God gave Satan permission to test Job. The book of Job tells how Job lost all his possessions, servants, animals, and even sons and daughters. Yet he remained faithful to God.

Job had three friends who came to talk to him. They wanted to grieve with him. But they felt that his troubles were sent by God to punish Job for bad things he had done. They accused him of doing wrong. Job’s friends would have been much better friends if they had just been there for him rather than assumed bad things about him.

Today’s verse says that a friend is always loyal. Another version says, “A friend loves at all times” (NIV). Job’s friends might have thought they were being loyal and loving, but they weren’t doing what Job needed.

When tough times come, you want friends who will stand beside you. Friends who will point your thoughts toward God but not assume that your problems are because of sin. As they did to Job, bad things can happen to good people.

It’s also important for you to be a loyal and loving friend for others around you. See a friend who is discouraged? Be an encourager. See a friend struggling? Be a helper. See a friend who’s hurting? Be a compassionate listener.

As God’s princess you can be the friend others need. You have God’s love and his message to share with others. How can you be a friend who loves at all times? List three ways you will try to be that kind of friend.