Thought for the Day

These verses tell us the value of true friendship, as a good friend will be there for us in our day of calamity, while sometimes our own family will not support us.

Verse 9 - In the hot weather of ancient Israel, crowded streets would stink of animals, sweating humans, and refuse. The rich anointed themselves with perfumed oil to protect and scent their skin. After the ordeal of traveling such streets, entering a home and being anointed with fragrant oil was pleasurable and refreshing. In the same way, after brushing shoulders with a godless, uncaring world, the sound counsel given by a trusted friend rejoices the heart. There is just nothing like being able to communicate openly and comfortably with a good friend.

Verse 10 - When trouble comes, it is better to go to a neighbor who is a true friend in the Spirit, than to your own brother who is not close to you in his heart. As Christians, we are members of God's family. It is a blessing to have this wonderful relationship with people all over the world! Regardless of race, age, language, or social status, Christ gives us His love for one another. Non-Christians cannot understand our spiritual family ties. It sounds strange to them to hear us speak of one another as "brother" or "sister."

Jesus defined His true family while ministering to a great crowd in someone's house (Matthew 12:46-50). When informed that His mother and brothers desired to speak with Him, He answered that all that came to Him and did His will were His family. As Christians, we have the same access to Jesus that His family had during His earthly ministry. The special privileges given to members of the world's royal families are only a small picture of the privileges granted to us as God's family. We are joint-heirs with Christ and have access to the riches of His glory. We are promised a portion of His love, wisdom and understanding, so that we can become like Him. Through the power of the Spirit He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think! Praise God!

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:16-21).