SUNDAY 5 June, 2016
A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. - 2 Samuel 15:33-34
His close friend Hushai, the Archite, would be of more use to David if he returned to the city. Here, David is basically saying if you want to do me a favor and be on my side go back and help me. If Hushai offered his service to Absalom, it could be when the time came, that his counsel would overthrow Ahithophel.
A person who comes to your aid in time of need is a true friend. These types of people are hard to find. It is not often someone stays by your side when it looks like you are losing everything. Hushai was that type of person. He arrived at the perfect time. David was able to place his friend where he needed him the most. He now had an effective espionage plan to counter attack Absalom’s next move against him.
In our own lives friends can be a ‘dime a dozen’. In other words, they are around as long as times are good. Money can make friends while it lasts. Proverbs 19:4, 6 describes these kinds of fair-weather friends:
Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend… Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
Remember the best friend you can ever have is the Lord Himself, He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:15). What kind of friends are you surrounding yourself with?
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
~Proverbs 18:24~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
