Consider these words from the scroll of Proverbs:
Proverbs 20:6
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
Relationships of every type are built on trust. Everyone desires to love and be loved. Some exhaust themselves extolling flattery, gifts, or the like; attempting to demonstrate their loving devotion. But, here, God’s Word makes a simple, direct definition of what love looks like, FAITHFULNESS.
Too often the discussions between persons in relationship with one another is centered on who or what is right. But, when rightness is the objective, people can often be ignored or abused. However, when faithfulness to the other person is the objective, hearts get healed and united.
The children of faithful parents never feel neglected. The business owner never worries about the customer care of a faithful employee, nor the wife about a faithful companion. Perhaps it is because faithfulness is visible, tangible and easily understood that makes it such a powerful ingredient in relationships.
What does it look like to live faithfully toward another person? It looks like David who loved Jonathan as his own soul. It looks like Jesus when he looked Peter in the eye and asked, “Do you love me?” knowing that Peter had lost all hope. It looks like the grace and mercy of God showing up time and time again to rescue His people from their foolish ways.
I would challenge everyone to consider those individuals in your life who are your “go to” people in your times of need? I will wager they are the ones who have been the most faithful toward you. They weren’t always right, and they likely didn’t always have an answer for your problems. But they were present… with you, in your time of need. They were faithful to you.
In the days ahead, let us take some time to thank God for those faithful individuals in our lives who always seem to know when to call or write, who laugh with us, cry with us and sometimes just sit with us during difficult times. Such people are truly a gift from God. Then as we reflect maybe we can ask the Lord to help us be that faithful one for someone else.
Proverbs 18:24
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Lord help me to be the faithful friend who sticks closer than a brother.
