Friends Are Gifts from God

Editor’s Note: It’s Sit & Listen Saturday at Devotionals Daily. Enjoy reading as well as listening to this devotion from Living a Mighty Faith by Angus Buchnan – an encouraging devotional to help you open your heart to God! Listen below or on your Alexa device by enabling the skill and then prompting, “Alexa, ask devotionals to read today’s devotion.”

My Brother’s Keeper

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” — Genesis 4:9

Once you become a child of God, you are responsible for your brother. Who is this “brother” exactly? It’s your neighbor, your friend, your colleague, a stranger, anyone you come into contact with. Deuteronomy 22:1-2 tells us:

You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. And if your brother is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him.

When I was a young man learning about farming, I was taught that if you see an animal walking down the road, you don’t just look the other way. You stop and take the animal back to its owner. If you don’t know who the owner is, then you look after the animal until its owner can be found.

In the same way, when you see somebody in trouble, as a Christian you must stop and help. When you see a parking attendant trying her best, or a waiter doing his job well, make sure that you reward each one generously. Why? Because you are your brother’s keeper.

We need to take care of each other, knowing that God will take care of us.

You can never invest too much into somebody else’s life. God will always honor you for that.

PRAYER: God, please show me who my neighbors are, and how You want me to help them. Amen.

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A Burden Halved

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. — Proverbs 18:24

Samuel Johnson supposedly said, “A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair,” and that is very true.

A dear friend of mine used to farm across the fence from me. We would encourage one another in the early mornings while the staff were coming to work. Often it would still be dark. He’d always tell me to take time out to smell the roses.

A good friend will also always tell you the truth. A flatterer — someone who tells you what you want to hear — isn’t necessarily a good friend. A good friend will tell you when the price of gas is going up, when your taillight isn’t working, or when there’s damp in your bathroom. A true friend will bring around a meal when you’re sick, fetch your kids from soccer practice, and encourage you when you’re down. This is because a friend cares about you and wants the best for you.

One year when I was battling to get our crop in because our tractor had broken down, another neighbor brought his tractors over to our farm and helped us get the crop in on time. He wanted nothing in return, just the simple pleasure of helping me. What an invaluable friend.

Spend time developing friendships — first with the Lord Jesus, then with those He has placed around you. Remember, a burden shared is a burden halved. Work on your friendships just as much as you work on your vegetable garden, your home, or your occupation.

PRAYER: God, thank You for the friends and neighbors You’ve placed in my life. Show me how to be a better friend today. Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Living a Mighty Faith by Angus Buchan, copyright Angus Buchan.

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Your Turn

Let’s thank God for our friends today because they truly are a gift! And, let’s be a friend to others because we believers belong to each other as brothers and sisters. Come share your thoughts on the blessing of friendship on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily

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