Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Proverbs 4:5-6
One day, my dad posed this question to me and my sister, “Did you know that the Bible talks about fashion? Ecclesiastes talks about how important suspenders are.”
He was referring to Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Just as suspenders (or a belt) can be a valuable resource for an oversized pair of pants, a Godly, helpful friend can be a lifesaver in times of need. Many are the fair-weather friends, the ones who stick by closely when life is good. But how blessed are we when hard times hit and we see our true friends still beside us? Those friends are gifts from God.
Just as friends are here to comfort and console us, they can also spur us on to greater good. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
True accountability comes only when our friends are bold enough to tell us the truth and challenge us to walk closer to Christ. If you have a friend who does this, thank God for him or her! If you don’t, ask for it. Praying for a Godly friend is totally acceptable. God answers this prayer, too.
