Who do you have in you corner?
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
Growing up I never understood the power of friendship and relationships; but as I drew closer to God, I learnt that relationships and friendships influence how we get through life.
Imagine getting to work and you are at loggerhead with practically all your co-workers. After a hard day’s work, imagine getting home to a tense environment and worse off, no one with whom to share life’s struggles; no one to encourage you and put a little fight back into you. This could be devastating.
In the Bible, we can read how a woman named Ruth remained committed to her mother-in-law after they both suffered the loss of a husband and a son. Naomi insisted that Ruth move on. However, in Ruth 1:16-17 we see Ruth making a vow to stay with her mother-in-law. What a remarkable example of Proverbs 17:17, ‘A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need’. Naomi must have made an impact on Ruth’s life which aroused her desire to stay with Naomi even after she had no reason to.
As you continue in Ruth 4:10-17 it would be discovered how this decision changed Ruth’s life. Her obedience to Yahweh and her understanding of the value of relationships propelled her into wealth and riches.
There are many life lessons here. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” – John 15:12 (NIV). Let us Love and cherish our relationships, and ensure our ‘words of love’ align with our ‘actions of love’.
Make it intentional to build worthy relationships and evaluate the existing ones.
Read: Ruth 4:10-17; 1 Samuel 20:42
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 91:1-8; I Corinthians 1:18-31; I Corinthians 2:1-5; I Chronicles 19; I Chronicles 20; I Chronicles 21; I Chronicles 22:1
