Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 17:17 (NLT).
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs are short but wise sayings that point us to a better understanding of our relationship with God and each other. Many of these sound like plain common sense, offering practical advice, but we often miss the deeper spiritual meaning.
In this verse we hear about who we can count on when things are tough. Friends and family are our support system and we must be ready to give help. We must also remember Jesus’ instruction on who is our neighbor (Luke 10:25-37). We must be aware of the needs of those around us and offer our care.
We must also get past the selfish pride we sometimes have toward accepting help. It is a good thing to be self-sufficient, but everyone needs assistance at some point. We have all been given gifts that are useful and opportunities to share that blessing. God’s love is shown in the way we look after one another.
Loving Lord, help us to see all people as our brothers and sisters, worthy of our love and care. Bless us to go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.
