Day 186, or July 5. We need to be even closer. Our thoughts today are rooted in Proverbs
chapter 18 verse 24. There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Now the big picture surrounding this verse. Solomon continues his Proverbs encouraging
godly living. These are the Proverbs that you may well have seen on calendars, as they
are short pithy sayings that have much to say to us and provoke us into thinking about
what we are doing with our daily lives.
And now, today's action step. Two hundred years ago there were two brothers who were
born in Siam, now Thailand. Their names were Chang and Eng Bunker, and they were conjoined
twins who were never separated. They spent the whole of their lives joined together.
They were as close as brothers could ever be, but our proverb today describes someone
who is even closer. This prophetic proverb points to Jesus Christ who said in John's
Gospel, If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you
can do nothing. This is so much more than physical closeness. Not only does he describe
this as the essential lifestyle for believers, but also warns of failure if it is not so.
In our weak moments it is relatively easy to rely on Jesus. However, when we are doing
well and we are making good progress, we perceive less need of God. The apostle Paul was right
when he said, When I am weak, then I am strong.
Going back to the Bunker twins, they found the only way to live their daily lives joined
together was to alternate who was the leader. For three days Chang would lead, and his brother
Eng was silent. The following three days the roles were reversed. However, we don't get
a turn to lead with God. He is always in control, if we are to do anything fruitful. The Bunker
twins were remarkably close, but we need to be even closer to Jesus. Unlike the twins,
we should never be the alternative leader, but always rely on Jesus to lead, and for
us to follow faithfully every day.