A Sweet Friendship

Proverbs 27:9 - Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel

Have you ever came away from spending some time with your best friend and thinking, “That has really done my heart good?” Throughout Proverbs 27, Solomon gives us warnings and instructions on how to live a wise life, throughout different aspects of life but most importantly, that Christian company is to be desired if we are to grow as faithful followers of Christ.

In verse 6, it speaks of friendship and how we know friends are faithful because they correct us out of love and concern for us - and so they should as Christians as the Bible instructs (James 5:19-20), but also because when we are born-again, we are under one heart and one soul which causes us to love each other and want the best for each other. Then in verse 9, it describes a friendship as sweet, much like ointment and perfume - these things bring a heart of thanksgiving for being able to smell something so lovely, and it boosts our emotional state as well. When we unburden ourselves and seek godly counsel to someone we hold dear and trust to direct us to God’s Word, our hearts are soothed and filled with joy because our souls have prospered from such godly counsel - “it was like balm to my soul”.

Friendship is something to be cherished, and just like Jonathan and David’s friendship (Proverbs 18:24), we look to a greater Friend who shows us how we should really love someone and keep them. How we should treat someone in a friendly, kind and pleasing manner. How we should serve someone, through counsel and bidding them welcome. We are to show ourselves friendly. A good friend is a great comfort in times of distress but also in times of joy. Knowing they can direct us to God’s Word, showing us who God is and how we must lean on Him for wisdom will always be sweet to the soul.