²⁴ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

In truth, friends come and go. They are there for a season, and then something may change. Friends may move away. They may get too busy, or a bad situation may occur. Finally, you may just drift a part. We can all put a name and a face to the situation.

My mother would always say you can usually place your closest friends’ names on one hand, and usually there are three fingers. She was a very wise woman.

In my mind to have a friend is closer than a brother. Both of you do your part. Friendship works both ways. You are there for each other in the tough places and the good ones.

Men need other men in their lives. Being the ‘Lone Ranger’ just does not work. Jesus put 12 men around him. When you read the Gospels, you will find he loved those men, even the one who betrayed him.

You will also find that out of the twelve there were three most mentioned: Peter, James, and John. John called himself the beloved. He and Jesus were tight. John loved Jesus all the way to Christ’s cross. He saw him crucified. He was not afraid. Jesus even called him out from the cross in John 19:25-27.

Are you that kind of friend? Are you a friend who is there for another man? I ask myself this question, as well. Men, we need each other in our lives. One who we call ‘a beloved’ is a true friend. Allow yourself to have a best friend. This is a friend who loves you as you are, and you can be real with this friend.

Strength and Courage

Michael