Together in Christ: 'A Velcro® Friend' — Proverbs 17:17

Sunday, May 31, 2026

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

— Proverbs 17:17 NLT

Key Thought

How did we survive before Velcro® and zip ties? These two fastening inventions prove themselves useful almost daily in our households. They hold together many things at, in, and around our houses. They're handy, durable, and dependable.

Isn't that what we need in our friendships and spiritual relationships - a loyal friend with an enduring commitment and a dependable presence? Many people want to be our "friends" when things are going well. They're happy to accompany us when we have money. They're loyal to us as long as we are well and can run around doing fun stuff with them. But will they be there during tough times, when money is scarce, or life is hard? This genuine friend will help us handle the ups and downs of life's messes. [1] These are what I like to call "Velcro® friends" - people who stick with us through thick and thin! And, if we are going to have "Velcro® friends," then we had better be "Velcro® friends" to others!

[1] Galatians 6:2, 1 John 3:18 NIV; Romans 12:15 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Father, please keep people in my life that are Spirit-filled and who will commit to being a "Velcro® friend" in my life. Be with me, Lord, as I commit to being that kind of friend to others. I trust the Holy Spirit to empower me to love and produce an endless supply of Your love, [A] O God, from within me that will flow out of me and into the lives of others who need Jesus. [B] In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.

[A] Romans 5:5.
[B] John 7:37-39.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Proverbs 17:17
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
The Love of a Friend
Illustration of Proverbs 17:17
e-card on friendship: A friend loves at all times. - Proverbs 17:17
Making a Friend
Article by Betty Jo Mings
Can you love the unlovable? If we are willing, we can love the unlovable and encourage them to know Jesus.
Ministry of the Presence
Article by Mike Barres
What can we do to help others when their world collapses? God cares about our struggles and sent Jesus to us to show us the way back to his heart.

Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 17:17 NLT — A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, May 31, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 3:20-21
"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God's Message and a Gracious Example'
"[To the Ephesian elders, Paul continued,] "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'The Lord Lifts Up His People'
"The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble. The Lord loves those who do right. The Lord protects the foreigners......"
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Birthright' (He. 12:16-17)
"Dear Father, Keep me from being immoral or irreligious and, like Esau, selling the birthright you have for me. I want to inherit your blessing, even...."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ