August 5th - Acts 9:27

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Friends are a precious gift, and we all need them. Saul found himself in a delicate position when he visited Jerusalem for the first time after his conversion and he desperately needed a really good friend. His visit came a couple of years after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, and many people in Jerusalem would have remembered what kind of man he used to be. Barnabas took it upon himself to introduce Saul to the apostles. This was a crucial moment and Barnabas, whose name meant son of encouragement, was just the friend Saul needed. We all face difficult times in life, and those are the moments that reveal who our true friends are. The fair-weather friends rush for cover at such times. They are nowhere to be seen. However, true friends stand with us whatever the circumstances. I’m sure you, like me, can immediately think of people who have shown that kind of solid friendship. The most wonderful example of friendship in the Bible was between David and Jonathan. They lived with constant danger and appalling pressures but, right to the end, they were completely faithful to one another. Thank God for the amazing gift of friendship! Question In what ways have friends been a blessing in your life? Prayer Loving God, help me to be like Barnabas by being faithful and encouraging to my friends. Amen