It is good to have a friend. We all need someone in whom we can utterly trust. We need someone who loves us in spite of all our weakness. We need someone who will comfort and encourage us in time of trouble and sorrow when the world leaves us alone to fight our battles. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). "Ointment and perfume rejoiceth the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel" (Proverbs 27:9). R.L. Stevenson said, "So long as we love we serve, so long as we are loved by others I would almost say we are indispensable; and no man is useless when he has a friend." Jesus Christ said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Gossip can wreck friendship. "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very (chief) friends" (Proverbs 17:9). A true friend will help you up when you have fallen down. He will defend you when others speak evil of you. He will believe you are innocent until you are proven guilty. A good friend is a great blessing. To be a friend one must give of himself and appreciate all that is loving and noble in others. "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (Proverbs 11:13).

Do not turn against a true friend, and don't be a treacherous friend. "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me" (Psalms 41:9). "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6).

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS!