As I quickly review Proverbs 27, I am struck with one of the subjects spoken therein. The theme is "friends." For instance verse six: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The verse prior to that one is Proverbs 27:5: "Open rebuke is better than secret love."

To me, a person who is a "friend" is a very special person, indeed. I have very few such "special persons." I am talking about real friends, the kind of "friend" who is like "family"-–like a sister. Oh, I have "friends" who are casual, who are kind, who are close for a season. Some of those have turned out to be "fair weather friends." Others have turned out to be dear people to me. In truth, in times of real distress or need, some "friends" are no where to be found.

Dinah Craik wrote about a true friend when she composed her poem called "FRIENDSHIP."

"Oh, the comfort–the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,

Having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words–

but pouring them all right out–just as they are–

Chaff and grain together–

Certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them–

Keep what is worth keeping–

It is during times of great distress and unrest that we humans discover who our real friends are. It is often surprising. Someone comes to us, whom we never expected, with kindness and comfort. That unexpected "someone" draws to our side and helps us. He or she may never have been that close before until now. She is by our side. She has a hand of help and a heart of understanding. We are surprised that she cares. Her very presence is a comfort. How we needed her! Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel (Proverbs 27:9).

There is another kind of friendship. It is not the kind during death or illness. It is the friendship that comes when two people have kindred thoughts on a specific matter. Separately each person has fought some battle. Individually they have paid a dear price because of soul and heart conviction. These two meet each other for the first time. Their souls are knit together because they agree on a certain matter. Or, they may disagree in a specific area of a matter. It is then that their friendship grows. Why? Because Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17). Each person becomes better if they have each other. Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful (Proverbs 27:5-6).

Also, we learn a very important lesson in this chapter. What is that lesson? Give your friend some space. He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. (Proverbs 27:14-16) Familiarity breeds contempt! Friends must give their friends breathing room. Too much togetherness can lead to unhealthy relationships. Everyone needs "alone" time. To keep a friendship healthy, don’t smother your friend with your continual presence.

Allow him to have an opinion of his own. Make him glad to see you! (ysw)