A FRIEND WHO EVER LIVES & EVER LOVES

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." —Proverbs 17:17 [KJV]

We have a striking instance of genuine and uninterrupted friendship, which mutually subsisted between David and Jonathan. How affecting is that pathetic, mournful, exclamation of David, when friendship's sweet bands were dissolved in death! "I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women."—II Samuel 1:26. Who can read this plaintive note without sympathy? Wisdom's assertion is literally exemplified in them. But though their love and friendship never abated in the dark scenes of adversity, but was alike at all times, yet death put a period to its existence. 

Natural friendship extends not beyond the confines of the grave. But, O disciple, thou hast a Friend who ever lives and ever loves. The most exalted friendship when compared to His, diminishes in glory, as the light of the brightest star disappears when the dazzling glory of the sun shines forth. Is not Jesus "this Friend who loveth at all times?" Yea, before time commenced, His love existed towards His church. Every member was loved by Him, and was given to Him of the Father. When in time He saw them polluted in their blood, defiled with sin, and loathsome in their persons, yet (O wonderful!) that was the time of love, He passed by, His eye saw, His heart loved, and His lips said, LIVE. 

Dost thou, O soul, live by faith on the Son of God? This is the effect of love; this is love known and manifested. But dost thou find daily that thou art a poor sinner? Therefore art thou grieved, and thinkest thou shalt weary out the love of thy Friend! No; that cannot be, He loveth at all times; "whom He loves, He loves to the end." Jesus is "the brother born for adversity," to comfort in and to support under it. Now thou art in an adverse state; the world, the flesh, and the devil are all against thee; but thy Friend is above, engaged for thee; He is stronger than all. Though in dangers oft, always safe. Jesus was born to suffer adversity for His brethren. A friend and a brother makes one's sorrows and sufferings His own. So did Jesus. Our sins were His, "He bore them in His own body." 

"He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows." And hath He loved before time? Does He love at all times? Then what shall separate from the love of Jesus? Nothing: for "in all things we are more than conquerors, through Him Who loved us." As the power of Jesus is equal to His love, death, which parts the dearest friends, and dissolves the sweetest friendship below, shall introduce us to the nearest enjoyment of our best Friend and dearest Brother above; for He says, "Father, I will that they Whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am." -John. 17:24.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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