Proverbs 17:17

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Psalm 146:3

"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation."

Proverbs 18:24

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

I taught 6th and 7th grade students throughout the 1990s and 2000s. 

Middle School kids are notorious for passing notes. They exchange notes in class, in hallways during passing periods, and they even drop notes through the slots of lockers. I always found it funny that (with girls) every note was signed, “bff” (“best friends forever”).  It didn’t matter who wrote the note, or to whom it was given, ALL the notes contained “bff”! What I couldn’t understand was, how could all these girls have everyone as their “BEST FRIEND”? Isn’t the title of “BEST FRIEND” reserved for someone you trust wholeheartedly? Shouldn’t a “bff” apply to just one person you feel a special bond with?

Proverbs 17 defines a “friend” as someone who “loves at all times” – someone who stays by your side no matter how bad things get in your life, no matter what your circumstances are.

Psalm 146 warns us not to trust other people – not the authorities with power (the courts, prison personnel, or politicians) nor a “son of man” (mankind). Man often fails in his promises and obligations to others. Our sinful nature makes us ALL untrustworthy ... AND often powerless to help.

Proverbs 18 reveals to us that there is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” – Jesus Christ the Lord! Look again at the descriptions of a "friend" and a "brother" in Proverb 17. God’s Word tells us we cannot and should not trust in any man, not even our families. Think about all your friends and family who tell you they cannot help you because they have no money to spare, or they are “powerless”; or worse... they say they will help, but don’t!

I'm not saying they are lying about not having money, but it's one example of how people don't always have the power or ability to help.

Brother, the truth is – the only TRUE BFF anyone has is Jesus. He is the only Friend and Brother who “loves at all times” and stands by your side in all your “adversity” (troubles). Friends and family often disappoint us or even abandon us, but we have “a friend who sticks closer than a brother”! He alone has the love that endures through all our suffering, and He alone has real power to actually do what needs to be done. Our God’s love is defined in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 ... “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ... “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Most of all, God’s love is self-sacrificing for your good! His grace and mercy are free to you because He gave up His only Son [your true “BFF”] to die on a cross... for you! Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” 

Brother, JESUS IS your true and only BFF!