WISE FRIENDS?

King Solomon penned sage advice for all of us to live by.  In his memorable words, “He who walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)  Today’s key question to ponder is simple: Do your closest associates bring help or harm?  Consider the story of the powerful king who unwisely chose a monkey as his dearest companion and friend.

In a distant land, there was a king who had a monkey that was not only his pet; he was indeed his best friend.  The king loved that monkey very much, so he fed him with scrumptious fruits from the royal orchards and even dressed him in the finest garments in the land. 

In fact, this king trusted his monkey friend so much that he decided to make him his personal guard.  That way, he would have his good friend alongside him at all times.  Once this decision was made, the king took his monkey friend everywhere, from the battleground to the court, and on each royal trip throughout the kingdom.

The monkey apparently loved the king with the same intensity and was most delighted and proud to have been appointed as his personal guard.  He resolved to carry out his duties with utmost devotion.  While the king slept, it was his monkey friend’s job to guard the royal bed chambers.  He would faithfully see to it that no one or nothing would disturb the king from getting his much needed rest.  And he even fanned the king to maximize his comfort, as he slept.

Daily, the royal bed chambers were bedecked with a variety of gorgeous and fragrant flowers.  Attracted by the alluring aroma of these flowers, a rather determined bee buzzed in through an open window while the king took his royal nap.  As was his custom, the monkey sat by the king’s bed, protecting and fanning him.  And once the diligent monkey spotted the intrusive bee, he tried to chase it away by using his fan.  But the bee lingered tenaciously, buzzing dangerously close to the king’s face.

After continuous efforts to discharge the bee, the monkey became rather angry.  At that moment, the bee settled itself on the king’s forehead.  By now, the monkey was totally outraged.  Caught up in his devoted zeal to protect the king, the monkey drew the king’s sword that lay on a nearby table.  He hoisted the sword high in the air, to strike down the bee that now rested on the king’s forehead.  Alas, the unwise friend and appointed protector split the royal head in two, bringing about the king’s untimely demise.

Think about it.  We are not only known by the company that we keep, our eternal destiny is directly impacted (for better or worse) by those with whom we closely associate.  What does your selection of friends reveal about your character?  And how will those choices ultimately affect your God-ordained purpose and dreams?  Sisters and brothers, let us walk in God’s wisdom and be continually blessed!