“My son, if thou be surety for thy friend…” (1).

Disclaimer: My thoughts from this verse fragment are quite out of context.

I want to stand behind my friends.

When they need help or support or encouragement, I want to stand for them surely and steadily.

When nobody else seems to trust them or appreciate them, I want to be to them as Barnabas was to Saul. Saul had arrived in Jerusalem, having been converted and having escaped from Damascus. But when he tried to join up with the disciples there, they were all afraid of him, refusing to believe his conversion.

Now what?

He needed a friend to stand behind him and stand for him. He needed a friend to put his own reputation on the line for him.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how… (Acts 9:27).

In a good way, Barnabas was being a cosigner for Saul. Saul’s credit just wasn’t good enough. But Barnabas’ was. So Barnabas put his own good name on the line for Saul.

I want that kind of friends. (In fact, I could use a Barnabas about right now.)

And I want to be that kind of friend. (In fact, is there someone who could use a Barnabas about right now?)

from Proverbs 6:3

A little bit more from Proverbs 6: Be a Wise Learner