WISE FRIENDS

WISE FRIENDS

 King Solomon penned sage advice for all 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 simply this: DO YOUR CLOSEST ASSOCIATES BRING HELP OR HARM INTO YOUR LIFE?  Consider the story of the powerful king who unwisely chose a monkey as his closest companion.

 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 scrumptious fruits from the royal orchards and dressed him in the finest garments in the land.

 In fact, the 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 at all times.  Once this decision was made, the king took his monkey friend everywhere, from the battleground to the court, and on every royal journey throughout the kingdom.

 The monkey apparently loved the king with the same degree of intensity and was most delighted and proud to have been appointed as his personal guard.  He resolved to carry out his duties with utmost energy and devotion.  While the king slept, it was his friend’s job to guard the royal bed chambers.  He would faithfully see to it that nothing would disturb the king from getting much needed rest.  He even fanned the king to maximize his comfort while 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.  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 which had been laid 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 on the king’s untimely demise.  Wow!

 We are not only known by the company 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 wisdom and your character, or lack of the same?  And how will those choices ultimately affect your God-ordained purpose, dreams and destiny?  Could there be a dangerous ‘monkey’ inside your chamber?

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!