For thought and meditation Wed May 15 2024

[Markopolo]

Iron Sharpens Iron
Blackaby Ministries

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

The Christian life is a pilgrimage. At times the road is difficult, and we get lonely. Sometimes we may become discouraged and consider abandoning the journey. It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us. One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to “keep going.”

According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges you to become all that God intends. Jonathan could have succeeded his father to become the next king of Israel. But he loved his friend David, and he encouraged him to follow God’s will, even though it meant Jonathan would forfeit his own claim to the throne (1 Sam. 19:1-7).

The mark of biblical friends is that their friendship draws you closer to Christ. They “sharpen” you and motivate you to do what is right. True friends tell you the truth and even risk hurting your feelings because they love you and have your best interests at heart (Prov. 27:6).

Be careful in your choice of friends! Jesus chose His closest friends wisely. He did not look for perfect friends, but friends whose hearts were set to follow God. It is equally important to examine the kind of friend you are to others. As a friend, it is your duty to put the needs of others first (Prov. 17:17). Strive to find godly friends who will challenge you to become the person God desires. When you have found them, be receptive to the way God uses them to help you become spiritually mature. Strive also to be the kind of friend that helps others become more like Christ.

Have a blessed day!

[Pine Baron]

Great message for today. Thanks Marko.

[kootne]

Thank you for your thoughts on this passage. I don't see or hear people ever talk about it. It is one of my favorites from Proverbs. Maybe because I was a machinist for 40 years. I hope you don't mind my thoughts to add your last paragraph.

To be the kind of iron that sharpens, it needs some carbon, it needs to be heated above the critical temperature, it needs to be quenched, it needs to be tempered and it needs to applied at the right angle and with the right amount of pressure. Then it can do it's job.

I'm guessing if Jesus was talking to some metal workers, he would have no trouble making a parable from that.

[Jadkins87]

Amen.. Thank you .. this message got me thinking of the 1 i am close to now and the ways i should be closer too..

God Bless

JDAS

[John Wayne]

Thank you for your thoughts on this passage. I don't see or hear people ever talk about it. It is one of my favorites from Proverbs. Maybe because I was a machinist for 40 years. I hope you don't mind my thoughts to add your last paragraph.

To be the kind of iron that sharpens, it needs some carbon, it needs to be heated above the critical temperature, it needs to be quenched, it needs to be tempered and it needs to applied at the right angle and with the right amount of pressure. Then it can do it's job.

I'm guessing if Jesus was talking to some metal workers, he would have no trouble making a parable from that.

So true Kootne! God loves us machinists ;^) And thanks Marko!
JW

[USMC87]

Amen, just what I needed today.