“A friend loveth at all times…”Proverbs 17:17

True friends are hard to come by as the saying goes, my heart goes out to the younger generation who are now forced to either run with the crowd or be ostracized.

What happened to the good old days when we could love each other and yet have very different views on the world?

When we have thoughts and opinions contrary to those around us, the fear of expressing those opinions and the risk alienation and isolation can be a big deterrent in the decision to embark on the path that God had ordained for our lives before the foundations of the world.

Now that was long ago.

The Father has known and loved us that long.

Often especially in our youth, we have that desire, that need to fit in, the need  be accepted.

The truth of it is this, as the verse states: A friend loves at all times.

A true friend will never force us to their beliefs or try to bully, shame, or ridicule us into something we do not agree with, especially under the threat of ending that friendship.

That is not a true friend, that is manipulation and the world is proficient in it. The loneliness felt by many, the need for companionship and fellowship have left many vulnerable to the enemy’s biggest trap.

Being led by social media and those with agendas to do, say, and support things that are not right and deep down inside many know this.

The most difficult test we face in life is the test to stand, to stand for what we truly believe inside, not what the world tells us to think but what we truly know in our hearts and to allow God to develop the integrity inside needed to do just that.

A true friend will love us and respect us, and we will love them and respect them and value the others’ opinions and beliefs even when they are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum.

It is horrific to hear of young people that have committed suicide after having fallen prey to online predators, being tricked into comprising situations and then blackmailed and feeling as though death is their only choice.

It is horrifying and those seduced into the artificial realm, believing their only confidant is an avatar that agrees with everything they say including thoughts of ending their lives.

Society has failed and failed miserably.

Romans 1:25: ” Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen”

The explanation of it all, the worship and servitude of self by many have left a void in humanity to the point that we are faced with the heart-breaking reality that there are teens who feel that their only friend in this world is nonhuman and on a screen.

During times of loneliness when you have made a decision to stand and the world has turned its back on you, don’t give in, stay true and remember you are in very good company.

Apostle Paul experienced this, he wrote this in reference to his first appearance before Nero. and was kept from being martyred at that time.

2 Timothy 4:16,17: ” At my first answer (giving defense for himself) no man stood with me, but all men forsook (abandoned) me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge (that God will not hold them accountable for those actions)

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

David, another wonderful example, who found himself hiding in a cave, because Saul had become jealous and wanted him dead.

Imagine, this was after David had already been anointed to be king, but yet in the waiting season he found himself in a solitary place, full of questions that he found the answers to through prayer and steadfast trust in God.

Daniel, thrown alone in to the lion’s den, the enemy concocting a plan to what they hoped would be his end, knowing that he would not run with the crowd and those who sought his death were fed to the very lions that they had hoped would slaughter him.

So many we could talk about, that had to stand and stand alone but God delivered them out of every situation and blessed them in miraculous ways for doing so.

We can never forget Jesus, alone, praying in the garden, his disciples were too tired to stay wake and pray with him, but angels came and ministered to him, strengthening him for the horrific journey ahead.

Please do not let the world sway you or bully you into following anyone or anything that you know is not right.

It is far better to stand in integrity and good conscience alone than to run with the crowd losing all elf-respect and integrity every step of the way and knowing that eventually that running crowd will also run you down.

You are never truly alone.

Hebrews 13;5: ” Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:  for he hath said, I will never thee, nor forsake thee.”

God will send true friends into our lives, and we are blessed with them, so don’t settle for those whose friendship comes with a price, the price of running with the crowd, saying, and doing as told and never being allowed to have your own opinion.

Again, that is not friendship and the problem with running with the crowd is that they change directions at the drop of the societal hat and sooner or later someone or something you love will be on that mat and loyalty will be demanded, do you turn on those you truly love to run with that crowd or try to stand against that stampede?

That is a choice no one would ever want to make it, so it is far better to make that choice now.

And talk with those you have influence with and the young people in your life and if you see them falling prey, do something, be the ear that will listen and be a confidant so that they will know that there is someone they can talk to when faced with these dilemmas and pray always that the love of Christ, the love of true unity will flood our earth and hatchets will be buried and we can be free to be simply, ourselves.

Φλογιζω NBJ 2026/ Rev. N. Brown Johnson