Faithful Friend
Sometimes I feel like God is this domineering presence
hanging over me, checking out everything I’m doing, just waiting for me to mess up. This is not the picture the Bible gives.
If I’m not careful, it’s easy for my feelings to over-ride my faith. The truth
is, God is the Faithful Friend. He wants the best for me (Jeremiah 29:11), He
loves me (Jeremiah 31:3), and He cannot wait to pour His blessings into my life
(Psalm 3:8).
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and
there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
This is such an exciting verse! Not only is it a law of
life, that a friendly person makes friends, but it is also a promise; that
Jesus, as a Friend, is always near.
Hebrews puts it another way:
“…for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee.”
Just about anything I would do with my human friends, I
can do with Jesus. I can take a walk with Him. I can go on a “date” with Him. Sometimes,
I talk to Him for hours; and I surely ask His opinion on choices I must make.
He has written me a letter which I get to read every day, and I can even see “pictures”
of Him through His words. When everyone else is busy or tired, I know that
Jesus is still there, longing to spend time with me. It is such a privilege to
call God my Friend.
However, it doesn’t end there. Not only can I call Him my
Friend, but He calls me HIS FRIEND. So amazing, right? The God of the Universe
wants a relationship with me.
“Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not
servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called
you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known
unto you." John 15:13-15
As I spend time with the Father and do His word, He
reveals Himself to me. He teaches me. He shares secrets. Please note: I don’t
have to EARN His love. He already loves me. -But our relationship deepens as I
obey Him and spend time in His presence.
What a Friend we have in Jesus!
Comments