Are we friends of the friendless? God exhorts His children to adopt this attitude and reach out to others in our fellowship who may be experiencing difficult times. These days, more people than we may imagine lack nearby, sympathetic, external support. No matter who we are or where we have come from, every one of us needs a friend. God judges that an individual alone, without companions, without friends, is not good. Friendship is a major theme throughout the Bible, and since the time of Adam's and Eve's first sins, God has been working to restore friendship between Himself and humanity, as well as between a man and his fellow man. When Jesus Christ came, He says plainly that He laid down His life for His friends, suffering and dying for those with whom He would have a close, loving relationship. Our Savior tells us that He gives all who trust Him and obey Him the privilege of being His friends. What is more, we are not to be just His friend but develop friendships with all His friends too. He calls us all to be His friends, and we reciprocate by not only being His friend but also by following His example and forging strong friendships among His disciples.

Friendship is a crucial part of our development within God's church, and we must strive to understand this simple term clearly. It is vital to have the mind of Jesus Christ in us, recognizing the importance of our relationships with each other and with those who will come after us, as we aim to think and act like our elder brother, Jesus Christ. One of our goals should be to comprehend what it means to be a real friend and to grasp the significance of this term, especially within the close bond of friendship in God's church. The frequent use of the term "friends" by Senator McCain during his campaign speeches made some question the sincerity behind it, wondering if it was merely a political tactic. This usage recalls how Herbert Armstrong would end many of his broadcasts with a heartfelt "Good-bye friends," reflecting a deeper connection to the truth of God's Word. Similarly, William Jennings Bryant, in his powerful 1896 Cross of Gold speech, used the term "my friends" repeatedly to create an emotional bond, uniting his audience with a shared sense of purpose. True and lasting friendship must be rooted in the understanding available to us through Jesus Christ. Our friendship with Him, through our calling and exposure to the truth, should bind us together with the same bond of affection to one another as it does with us to Him. This friendship requires tremendous effort to grow, but it provides the foundation for proper relationships in all other aspects of our lives. True friendship with Jesus Christ and each other strengthens over years of faithfully believing and living the truth together, demanding consistent dedication and self-sacrifice toward God and one another. This is the friendship that endures through the grave and into the resurrection for eternity. As Herbert Armstrong understood, and as Jesus Christ affirms, we are friends with Him and with each other when we do the things He says. So, to all, we echo the sentiment of old, "Goodbye friends."

Friendship is a constant theme in God's plan, aiming to restore right relationships between Himself and humanity, as well as among fellow humans. God sets the pattern of friendship through His loving actions, exemplified by Jesus Christ, who condescended to become poor for our sakes, making us part of the divine Family and calling us His brothers and sisters. We are encouraged to live in harmony, associate with those of low position, and help the weak, honoring our Creator by being generous and merciful. Jesus teaches us to invite those who cannot afford luxuries or with whom we would not normally associate, sharing our time to turn acquaintances into true friends, a blessing for both parties. He also declares that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for friends, a principle we are to follow by sacrificing and serving one another. True worship involves proactively supporting the weak, empathizing with them, and offering hope and help. Our goal should be to relate to all our brothers and sisters in faith, regardless of status, remembering our own shortcomings and following the example of our Savior, who stooped lower than any of us by giving up His glory. By using our gifts to heal loneliness and disappointment, we fulfill our duty and become friends of the friendless.

The concept of 'Iron Sharpens Iron' from Proverbs 27:17 illustrates how we can sharpen the countenance of a friend. The sharpening process requires closeness or proximity; without contact, whether it is a knife against a honing rod or friends keeping in touch, nothing can be sharpened. This principle extends to our relationship with God, as our proximity to Him significantly affects how we are developed into His image. Just as God's presence changed Moses' countenance, causing his face to glow, our contact with God shapes and revitalizes us, preparing us for what lies ahead. Like any tool, we and our brethren will sometimes need our countenances adjusted and at other times, a more thorough sharpening to restore and polish our edge, lifting our countenance for every good work. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us of the impact our interactions have within our families, circle of friends, and God's church, underscoring our responsibilities in these relationships.

This insightful message provides a powerful exploration through both biblical insight and practical wisdom, showing that great luminaries of faith—like Moses, Elijah, David, and Jeremiah—all wrestled with devastating despair. Hebrews reassures God's chosen saints that depression is not a failure of faith, but instead a human struggle which we can only meet with divine strength. The speaker identifies emotional, spiritual, and physical causes of depression, and through Elijah's story, presents four divine remedies: rest and renewal, restored faith and focus, realistic hope, and obedient action in God's presence. Ultimately, this timely message calls believers to face depression with honesty, compassion, including self-compassion, and unwavering trust in the Almighty's sustaining grace.