A faithful friend is beyond price.

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure." (Sirach 6: 14).

The Bible gives us a word of wisdom on friendship. Jesus calls His disciples His friends. He is certainly a faithful friend to them even though they abandoned Him at the hour of His need. “A friend loves at all times.” (Proverbs 17:17). Not when the going is good.

The two best examples of friendship from the Bible are Jonathan and David and Ruth and Naomi. Both friendships attain the lofty standard of Sirach 6: 5 - 17, our first Reading today.

"A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth." (Sirach 6: 15). No question about that. But where do you find such a friend? I know a few people who are blessed to have such friendship. A great blessing is to have your spouse as a bosom friend. Again this is not too common.

"A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds. For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself." (Sirach 6: 16 - 17).

These last two verses hold out bright hope for those of us who can't boast of great friendship today. Do you fear the Lord? Do you love the Lord? All things are possible for God. You might still meet that special friend if it is God's will for you.

"O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me."
(Psalm 12: 6).

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