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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Proverbs 27:10

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

If you’re a regular reader of The Christian Walk, you know I spent a lot of time in the Navy (28 ½ years total) and thus a lot of time away from home as a result of many deployments and numerous other shorter underway periods. I still go to sea now as a civilian and spent two and a half months at sea last year. During those times, I have always been so very blessed to have neighbors who have stood in the gap through my absence, providing support for my family. There never has been a time when they haven’t been there to check on how things were going and offer help when needed.

I couldn’t help but think about how blessed I’ve been in this manner after reading the proverb for today from the 27th chapter of Proverbs. Take a look at these words from Solomon:

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. Proverbs 27:10

Through the love and caring of my neighbors, I have thoroughly witnessed this proverb being carried out and experienced the blessing that comes from it. As with the other callings we receive from the Lord, this one leads us to be more like Jesus in the way we live, never turning from an opportunity to help someone in need, always ready to render assistance when the call arises.

Think about that for a moment. We are never abandoned or neglected in our lives because the Lord has promised to never leave nor forsake us. He is always with us, no matter our circumstances, always caring, always helping, always leading us to recovery from life’s circumstances. When disaster strikes, we can always count on the Lord.

When it comes to dealing with one another, why would we do otherwise?

That’s the point here as the scriptures command us to not forsake a friend or friend of the family who is in need, especially when a disaster strikes. We are to stand by one another in love and consideration and commitment, helping each other through the tough times in life. We are to be there for one another through the thick and thin.

Imagine how much better our world would be if we did this. Perhaps the way to get there is by each of us doing our part to be a friend and neighbor to all, showing the same sense of dedication and devotion to one another that we receive from the Lord.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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