LOYALTY & FRIENDSHIP!

The word loyalty has immediate positive connotations for all those who hear the word. Loyalty has synonyms such as faithfulness, fidelity and devotion to name a few. For the animal lovers, your animal would be a loyal companion and apart of your family unit.

When I was in college, I had one guy in particular who without fail did not miss a bible study or if he did miss told me in advance. I was safe to assume, if I did not hear from him, he is coming. I remember having complete assurance.

That is a simple example from my life. In thinking about this word, the only verse that comes to mind initially is Proverbs 17:17.

A friend loves
at all times,
and a brother is born
for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)

A friend. A friend loves.

This word loves is ahab. It is active. This word goes deeper as it represents an action or condition in its unbroken state. The Bible says, "A friend loves at all times,..." All times does mean in prosperity and in adversity. A true friend will be there. The action of love is based on the action of the friend not the whether the times are prosperous or adverse. Then, Solomon goes on to say, "and a brother is born for adversity."

A brother. A brother is born. It does not say a brother borns or lives or loves for adversity.

This word born is yalad. It is imperfect. This is tough for the English language. If I were to best explain part b, I would say, "a brother is to show love at all times relating to a potential adverse event. However, I love my brother but not fully because my love is based upon times of trouble and [now and] until then I love you." As a brother, I am saying I love you but only to fulfill a duty that might need to be accomplished, yet is in the works. This is open, imperfect.

We live in a sin-soaked world. Adversity is going to happen.

A man of many companions
may come to ruin,
but there is a friend
who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)

That same friend without conditions sticks closer than a brother. The same word for friend God uses. He called Abraham "the friend of God."

I end with the song "What A Friend I've Found"

What a friend I've found, Closer than a brother;
I have felt your touch, More intimate than lovers.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Friend Forever

What a hope I've found, More faithful than a mother;
It would break my heart, To ever lose each other.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners, Friend Forever.