Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

STEPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT FRIEND
1. Know the strength of a friend and the role he plays. When we expect a
friend to be our coach and encourage us, but they come to teach us and give us wisdom,
they have not helped us. That was Job's situation. He needed encouragement from a
coach, but he got lectures. Rather than helping Job, his friends hurt him. Finally, after
Job came to recognize the sovereignty of God in his life, "The Lord said to Eliphaz the
Temanite, my wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not
spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath" (Job 42:7). The Lord
commanded Eliphaz, “Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and
go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job
shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye
have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job" (Job 42:8). Job, who
needed help from his friends, ended up giving help to his friends. But then an interesting
thing happened. "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his
friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). The friends
should have helped him, but did not. When Job helped them, the Lord saw Job's
integrity, took away his affliction, and gave him twice as much as he had before. Surely
the words of Jesus apply to our friends: "Give and it shall be given unto you" (Luke
6:38).
2. Know what to listen to and from whom it comes. All friends will give us
advice; however, it may not be good advice just because it comes from a friend. We are
not obligated to take their advice.