Scripture
Philippians 2:19-22 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, and not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
Observations
Proverbs 18:24 say's "A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother". As I read Philippians 2:19-22 today that verse came to mind. God is so good to give each of us a friend that sticks by you and is genuinely concerned about the things that weigh on your heart. They want to serve you and bless you, not idolizing you, but truly loving you.
I think we all want that special friend; the person you don't have to clean your house for, or put make up on for. The friend that can see you with a snot bubble and love you anyway. The person that would leave their home in the middle of the night to comfort you while you cried. The friend that would lay down his life for you (John 15:13).
Timothy's motivation for friendship was centered and powered through his relationship with Christ. Timothy was seeking what was on the heart of Jesus Christ and drawing from the abundant love found only in Him.
For more background on Timothy check out the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Application
Who is that friend to you? When there are lots of friends around, that person may be hard to see. However after trials and tribulations pass that friend can sometimes becomes more evident, as we see with Paul's prison experience. God doesn't want us to be mad at those who don't turn out to be that friend to us, because that friend is rare and if we had lots of them we could come to ruin (see Proverbs 18:24). Let's seek out that friend today and bless them.
Prayer
Father, there is no friend greater than You. You have seen me at my worst and Your love has believed, endured, and hoped in me (1 Corinthians 13:7). How can I thank You enough for Your perfect provision of friendship. I know that I have fallen short in the friendship area so many times, but Your grace is ever so sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). You bless me despite of my weakness. Thank You for calling me Your friend (John 15:14-14). I love You so much.
No comments:
Post a Comment