SHADOWS AND FRIENDS

Many think that our shadows abandon us in darkness. Sadly it can’t be any further from truth. Shadows do not appear when we are passing through darkness. If we know it truly, they never have left us, in the first place. It is just that the darkness has eclipsed them from being visible. Same is true about true friends. “Dark” times that we may be going through can eclipse the presence of our friends in our lives. They may seem to disappear, and not be visible to us, nor to the rest of the world. Only the person who can see in the darkness, will know that they have not abandoned us, but are for a short while eclipsed by the darkness. It is only a matter of time before the sun will barge into our lives, by breaking through the veil of darkness with his piercing light, and the darkness that had engulfed us will be dispelled…the shadows will reappear…then the whole world will see it.

Dear brothers and sisters, it is true that there are all kinds of people who will call themselves as our friends. Sadly, not all of them are good and true friends. They may not truly care for us, nor for our welfare. Hence, we should be wise and not count such people as our true friend. The LORD, in His written Word, the Bible, has defined for us who a true friend is.
– “17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
– “24…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

Please note…
– A friend LOVES us at ALL TIMES.
– A friend STICKS to us, CLOSER than a brother.
Jonathan cared for David more than his own father, because Jonathan wanted to be on the side of the truth and righteousness, and not lies, family, power, and authority. Here is what Jonathan had said to David, when David was running for his life from king Saul.
– “14 And you shall not only show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die; 15 but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the LORD require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” 17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” – 1 Samuel 20:14-17

True friends are rare because truth itself is rare. It is so because truth is not only precious and priceless, but truth demands commitment and a willingness to sacrifice, if required everything that one has. To stand for truth is very costly. For someone to stand for truth and righteousness is risking their everything…and the risk of losing it all is real and could be permanent, as in the case of Jonathan. This is why many are “scared” and step back from fuller and deeper commitment.

I have had many a person who called themselves my friend. There are many who fizzled out when the time had come to prove the friendship. I have failed too. Good friends can fail too. Peter failed the LORD Jesus, yet he was restored by God. I have the privilege of a few who stick closer than a brother. May the LORD Jesus bless all such people in this world. 

As Christians let us be true and faithful not only to God, but also to all whom we call our friends, because of the LORD Jesus whom we call our Redeemer. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.