I love the value the Bible places on friendship. Jesus showed us how much he values us by calling us his friends (John 15:15). What an honour! God is our closest and most reliable friend, and as we journey through life, He sends us friends that feel like special hugs from him. Friends are truly one of life’s greatest blessings.

There are various stories of friendship in the Bible. One of the most popular ones is that of David and Jonathan. Jonathan showed immense love and loyalty to his friend David, even though he knew that as long as David was alive, he would not become king after his father, Saul. The Bible records that Jonathan loved David as his own soul (1 Samuel 18:3). And it wasn’t just mere talk, it was both talk and action. When faced with conflicting loyalties, Jonathan chose loyalty to his friend David over loyalty to his own father, his flesh and blood. David also reciprocated by ensuring that Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was well taken care of, after Saul and Jonathan’s death (1 Samuel 9); and that his life was spared (2 Samuel 21:7). He demonstrated that the bond and oath of friendship can transcend even death.

The bond between Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego is another powerful one. Taking a stand in line with your values, and against evil, is not an easy thing to do if you are standing alone. It therefore helps to have the kind of friends that are willing to stand with you, to literally go through fire with you. In Daniel 1, Daniel and his three friends did not want to defile themselves with royal food and wine for various reasons, one of them possibly being that it had been sacrificed to other gods. Jewish law forbade the eating of meat that had been sacrificed to other gods. However, standing their ground and saying no to King Nebuchadnezzar’s orders won’t have been easy. There was the risk of either being severely punished for defying the king, or as a minimum, being perceived as discourteous. Plus, can you imagine how delicious the food would have been? We are talking royal chefs here, a proper feast, choice foods, a three-star Michelin rating i.e. “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”. I mean, this was food and drink directly from the King’s table! (v. 5). One’s mouth waters just thinking about what would have been on the menu. BUT, these friends stuck together. As Proverbs 11:14 says, “In the multitude of counsellors, there is safety”. Four wise friends with God on their side approached the challenge together, and came up with a wise and diplomatic solution. They presented their suggestion to the guard in charge, he agreed, and interestingly, they ended up looking healthier and better nourished than everyone else.

In Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego teamed up again, and this time, it wasn’t just turning down fancy food… they chose not to bow down to an image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, even though they knew that the penalty was death by fire. A huge risk – They weren’t being invited to eat delicious barbequed meat now, they were potentially going to be thoroughly charred barbequed meat. After their initial refusal to bow, Nebuchadnezzar decided to give them one more chance. He warned them that if they did not bow down and worship the image, they would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Then he asked “Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (v. 15). Their response was boldness defined: “we don’t need to answer you on this matter.” I can’t say whether or not it would have been different if only one of them was facing this challenge, but I can imagine that having their friends beside them would have been like fuel for their boldness. To cut the long story short, they kept to their word. However, Nebuchadnezzar also kept to his word. They didn’t bow, and they got thrown into a furnace so hot, even the soldiers who threw them in were burnt to crisp. And yet not one hair from the head of these three friends was singed. Not even ONE strand of hair. I mean, they didn’t even smell of smoke! Nebuchadnezzar got the answer to his question, declared that only God must be worshipped, and the trio of friends ended up getting a promotion. What an amazing God.

In the New Testament, Jesus had his 12 disciples, and was also friends with Martha, Mary and Lazarus. I particularly admire the honesty in their relationship. I love how Martha could tell Jesus exactly what she thought, and I love how Jesus listened and responded with love (Luke 10:38-42). How refreshing to have friends you can be honest with without fear of judgement, but equally who will not be afraid to tell you when you are wrong. When Martha and Mary lost their brother Lazarus, he encouraged them, wept with them, and ultimately raised Lazarus from the dead! (John 11).

Friends that draw us closer to God, that pray with us even when we can’t find the words; that encourage us to take that next step when our feet feel like bricks; and walk with us on journeys too daunting for solo voyages, are true diamonds. As Gina Barreca said, “It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your friends who are your diamonds. It’s your best friends who are supremely resilient, made under pressure, and of astonishing value.”

If you have a friend

that loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17);

who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24);

who is reliable (Proverbs 20:6);

who lifts you up when you fall;

and who you will lift up when they fall (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

who can correct you (Proverbs 27:6)

who sharpens like iron (Proverbs 27:17)

and whose counsel refreshes the soul (Proverbs 27:9)

…then consider yourself utterly, utterly blessed.

I am thankful that I am blessed with such friends in my life. Today I want to give a special shout out to one such friend; a friend turned family; a friend who isn’t just a shoulder when you want to cry, but who helps you do the crying (yes, seriously); a friend whose company brings joy and laughter; a gift that helps transform even the greyest days to days filled with splashes of colour. Yours is a friendship that refreshes the soul, that even distance cannot separate or wane. I am grateful to God for the gift that you are!

I also pray that God will help us to not just have, but to be such friends, and give us the wisdom to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it when navigating friendships. And, when we get those promptings from God in our heart suggesting ways in which we can be a blessing, may we listen and have the wherewithal to obey. By doing so, we can demonstrate to our friends just how wonderful it feels to be hugged by God.