September 20 Sharpen Each Other Proverbs 27:17
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
“We do not walk alone!” This statement has been used for centuries by individuals that recognize the great blessing of brotherhood and encouragement! From the time that I can recall, my daddy was teaching me and guiding me into the reality that, as a Redeemed Believer, I have a responsibility to continue to grow in my Faith, and to mentor and encourage other believers! I remember a sunny summer Sunday, in 1972, when a young man walked the aisle, took my daddy by the hand, and they knelt at the altar, and this young man gave his heart and life to Jesus. Amazingly, when they stood, and daddy presented this young man to the church family, he asked me to stand with him! I was acquainted with this young man, since we attended the same school, but I was not a “friend” of his. Standing there, that day, as the church family rolled past, encouraging and greeting and extending their gratitude for his decision, I saw an awakening in this young man! As the line cleared, and the church building began to empty, I noticed that this young man was alone! With all of the grace and poise of a gifted brother, I asked, “Where is your family?” He said, “My mother is at work, and my daddy is dead!” Oh, my goodness, I felt terrible that I had asked that question, yet that was the beginning of a great friendship and a brotherhood. We talked him into going home with us for lunch, or as we would say, “dinner,” and he gladly accepted. As we were gathering our things, Jimmy and I began to talk about school, our hobbies (my major hobby was work), and the events of the past hour. We arrived at our house, and mama put one of her finest meals before us, and we ate, talked and enjoyed each other. After a couple of hours, daddy and I drove Jimmy home. As we were returning home, daddy asked me to be Jimmy’s “iron!” What? You want me to do what? Daddy quoted Proverbs 27:17, and I began to understand what he meant! From that day, Jimmy and I became good friends, and we were in communication daily. We attended Sunday School, Church and extracurricular activities together and our friendship grew and matured (One of his favorite things to do was to eat at my house). In the fall of 1973, Jimmy was presented with some tragic news, he was diagnosed with a terminal disease called Leukemia. I was the first person that he called after he and his mother returned home, and I made my way over to their home to be with my friend. Amazingly, Jimmy was resolute, calm and strong. He told me that “God has a plan,” and that he was going to trust God and that he was going to be okay! Long story short… We continued to pray each day (His Faith grew in the midst of this physical trauma), and Jimmy attended school each day, until he was unable to go, and I would visit him daily, and we continued to pray together, to encourage each other, and to be that friend that daddy had requested me to be, just a short time ago. Jimmy did meet Jesus, I did speak at his service, and I still miss my friend, but I learned a lesson about encouragement and “sharpening” one another. It became crystal clear that I cannot sharpen another person without knowing that person and having a growing relationship with them. Getting to know someone well doesn’t take special skills or spiritual gifts, it just takes an effort! Dear Friends, there are hundreds of fellow travelers that need a friend, need an encourager, need “sharpening,” so let’s get “sharpening!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!