Title

What Happened To My Friend?

Scripture
We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.
(Psalm 55:14:)
Devotional
How can two people hear the same preaching of God’s Word, praise and worship Him together, serve together, fellowship together and one fall? The answer in a word must be, “deception.” The deceiver of the brethren is a master at what he does. If you have not, you will see him divide the best of friends, the most wonderful fellowship and the greatest of service. How does he do it? I once thought that he did so by attacking our weaknesses. I was wrong; he attacks our strengths. Most of us know our weaknesses; we know that we are vulnerable in them. However, it is our strengths that are the most vulnerable, those areas of our lives that we think are under control. Whatever the strength, whether it is intelligence, loyalty, faithfulness or giftedness, the enemy is able to turn those against the knowledge of God. Why, how can he do so? In our strengths, we rely little on God; we foolishly think that God needs them and that we are a help to Him. We are not. The apostle Paul knew this so very well when he said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”(1)

(1) 2 Corinthians 12:10
Thought For The Night
“Eros will have naked bodies; friendship naked personalities.” C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
 
Evening Text
Psalm 55:14: We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.
Looking for Answers
Evening Study Guide
Defining: “Friend,” Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says, “One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.” What a Friend we have in Jesus, (John 15:14-15).
 
Referencing: “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” Proverbs 18:24.
 
Applying: In this life of days, friends will come and go; they will often disappoint and hurt you. It is risky to have close friends, but it is surely worth the risk—take it.