Somebody to Lean On
“Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3 RSV
First and foremost, I “lean on” and depend on God. That is ground level zero for me. And yet, at a human level, I want and need safe and dependable relationships as I navigate the highways and byways of life.
Proverbs 3 provides some great counsel for the journey that we all take from cradle to grave. The author charges us to make loyalty and faithfulness foundational values in our life journey. It seems to me that the underlying bedrock of those two words could be distilled into the single word “trust.’ Think about it for a moment: who do you want for a friend, ally or companion along the road of life? I think we all want (and need) people who we can trust in our life’s journey. And the corollary is also true; those around us are looking for someone they can trust, someone who will be loyal and faithful.
Author David Goetsch writes, “Faithful people are true to their word, promises, beliefs, and commitments. As a result, they are dependable, trustworthy, and honest; they can be counted on in good times and bad. Faithful spouses, friends, relatives, or coworkers won’t abandon you at the first sign of trouble or when you need their help. (From "Faithfulness and Loyalty in Relationships {Proverbs 3:3}" Dec. 29,2021)
In Matthew 7:12, RSV, Jesus said, “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”
Just as we all need someone to “lean on” at the human level, someone we can trust, someone who will be loyal and faithful, people all around us are looking for someone to fill this same need in their lives. So, today, thank God for these earthly relationships that can provide a faint glimmer of the depth of His love and grace.
Spend some time thanking God for those around you who provide the gifts of faithfulness and loyalty to you. And then, lift up those people in your life who turn to you as a safety net and loyal friend.
