“A true, hearty, faithful friend loves in times of adversity, as well as in times of prosperity. There are many that are friends to persons, while they are in affluent circumstances. But when there is a change in their condition, and they are stripped of all riches and substance, then their friends forsake them, and stand at a distance from them, as was the case of Job. It is a very rare thing to find a friend that is a constant lover to sympathize with his brother in distress, to relieve him, comfort and support him. And if he does not do this, when it is in his power to do it, he does not answer the end of his being born into the world.”
“A brother is more than friend. He stands to one nearer than a friend does. And there is no name of friend that sounds dearer than David and Jonathan. A friend always loves, but a brother is born to share trouble.”
There is a friend who remains to be a friend, and there is a friend who becomes your brother or sister. On the other hand, a relative can just be a friend, and there is also another who is really close to the heart.
“So, it is not the multitude of so called friends that helps us. They may only embarrass and perplex. What we treasure is the one whose love is stronger and purer even than all ties of kindred (Proverb 18:24).”