Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 17:17.
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
The poet W. H. Auden wrote “We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know.” While this might make you smile, it’s a very human thing to question why we must always help others when we don’t seem to receive it from others. Jesus taught that we are to love and give without expecting a return.
This proverb reminds us of the fact that if we follow Jesus, we must be loyal and ready to help in time of need. While this isn’t human nature, it is the nature of God in whose image we are made. Jesus taught that we must love everyone whether they love us or not (Luke 6:32).
We must pray for spiritual strength to overcome our selfish human nature. If we claim the name of Jesus, we must speak and act in accordance with His teachings. The old song says “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” We are all children of our Heavenly Father and as such, we are called to love one another as family.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we fail to care for each other as You have commanded. Help us to love one another as You first loved us. Amen.
