17/06/2026
DAILY ENCOUNTER WITH GOD WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
A FRIEND CLOSER THAN A BROTHER
BH 87: The Lily of the Valley
1. I have found a friend in Jesus,
He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul,
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole
In sorrow He’s my comfort, In trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll; He’s the
Lily of the valley the Bright
And Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
2. He all my griefs has taken and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;
I have all for Him forsaken,
And all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His power
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal; He’s the
3. He will never, never leave me,
nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill
Then sweeping up to glory to see
His blessed face
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll; He’s the
Golden Text: "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
— Proverbs 18:24, NIV
Text: Proverbs 18:19-24
[19] A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
[20] From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
[21] The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
[22] He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
[23] The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
[24] One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
________
People joke about complaining and whining, about marriage, poor estate, and bad friends. However, these issues are no joking matter.
Many of life's blessings can be enjoyed, but they carry with them the potential to work against people.
The Bible cautions from today's text that more is not always better and wordiness is risky; that positive, wholesome conversation can make life pleasant. It can make or break.
Developing the art of conversation adds richness to our lives and those around us.
Solomon counsels that people should marry wisely. A good marriage is seen as an earthly reward of God's grace.
He further talks about the rich and the poor. No matter how wealthy people are, they should not be rude.
It is not right to look down on others. Moreover, in seeking friendship, it should be quality over quantity.
King Solomon emphasizes the importance of friendship and the need for a friend who is closer than a brother. Jesus, who loved and laid His life for us, is the ultimate friend.
He knows our every thought, word, deed, past, present, and future, and extends His love and grace to free us from our self-afflicted failures.
True friendships are rare and profound, requiring transparency, vulnerability, and emotional availability.
One of the core strengths of true friendship is reliability. Are you a reliable friend?
The challenge is to be the friend that attracts Jesus and brings glory to His name.
Also, remember that the best friend you can have is Jesus.
Wisdom: True Christ-centred friendships are precious and unique, requiring love and acceptance.
Food for Thought: Are you a reliable friend?
Follow-up Action: Resolve to be a trustworthy and dependable friend.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, let my friendship with You reflect in my friendship with others to attract Your presence and bring glory to Your name.
Prayer: Lord, help me live a well-ordered life before You.
RBT: Psalms 69-72
