No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. . . . .(John 15:15a)
In the Old Testament, "friend" was a covenant term: Abraham was the friend of God
(Isaiah 41:8)
(Isaiah 41:8)
Jonathan and David were covenant friends (1 Samuel 18: 1-4). Proverbs 18:24 says there is a friend "who sticks closer than a brother" -- someone to whom you go to reveal the depths of your heart when needed. You've been hurt and need advice on what to do -- so you go to your best friend.
Portrait of Two Boys From a Little League Baseball Team
Problem: Best human friends are fallible. You rehearse your hurts to them, and you bring another person into an already complicated situation. You ask for advice that may or may not be helpful. You're troubled when you arrive and are likely still troubled when you leave.
Fortunately, for life's most challenging situations, every Christian has a best divine Friend:
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Picture yourself as one of His original twelve disciples and what it would have been like to say, "Jesus, I've got this problem. Can You help?" You have that same opportunity today since Jesus calls you His friend and invites you to find "help in time of need" from Him (Hebrews 4:16)
Best human friends are great. But a best divine Friend is, well, divine!
Home at Last
Home at Last
I have a great need for Christ;
I have a great Christ for my need. (Charles H. Spurgeon)
I have a great Christ for my need. (Charles H. Spurgeon)
Turning point
by Dr. David Jeremiah
image courtesy of all posters
by Dr. David Jeremiah
image courtesy of all posters
10 comments:
I love that post, Mimi. He has called us friends. :o) Reminds me of the song I wrote, "He's a Friend."
Refrain:
He's a friend, true and faithful,
A friend, by your side,
Speaking words, that will lift spirits high,
God gives rest, to the weary,
He gives strengh, to the weak,
Feed the soul, that is thirsty and dry.
Copyright, Cathy L. Simpson
Amen!! I'm so thankful for the friends the Lord has allowed me to have but I'm most thankful that He is my Friend....and not just a friend buy my closest Friend!! Amen!! You can't have any better friend than the Lord Jesus Christ!!
That's a beautiful song Cathy...you certainly do write lovely music... I assume you have written the music to it also right...do you sing as well as play and write music?
I would love to hear you...
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Julie,
I agree with you that you can't have any better friend than the Lord Jesus Christ... and we are so fortunate to call him Our Friend...
Oh wow, that sure hits home. I love the picture of Christ, we have to just let Him hug us everyday.
Makes me think of the hymn, What a friend we have in Jesus !
Thank you for such a wonderful post! I often find myself humming, then singing, "What a Friend We Have In Jesus!" The beauty of his friendship is very real to me and it is so divine!
Thank you, Mimi, Yes, I wrote music to it too. It's kind of a gospel song I believe. People say I can sing, but I don't think I sing that well.
Oh, Mom, this is such a great post and goes right along with what we were talking about last night. I can't help but notice that the verse you referred to (Heb. 4:16) is only 4 short verses down from where the Bible says that the Word of God is quick or alive (Heb. 4:12). Yes we can go to Him, our Friend like none other, and we find Him in the Word because He is the Word!!! [Not that I'm on a soapbox about this or anything! ;o)] This post goes hand in hand with the one you posted by J. Tada. Love these! :o)
This was beautiful to read and to think about. I wonder what those who do not have Him do? God has indeed been gracious to give us earthly friends, but as you said, they cannot fulfill all of our needs because we are all sinners. But to have a Friend in our Perfect Heavenly Father! That is indescribable!!
Yes, I am so thankful for our best Heavenly Friend. Reminds me of a hymn I love:
One there is above all others,
Well deserves the name of Friend;
His is love beyond a brother's:
Costly, free, and knows no end.
They who once His kindness prove
Find it everlasting love.
Which of all our friends, to save us,
Could or would have shed his blood?
Yet our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled in Him to God.
This was boundless love indeed;
Jesus is a friend in need.
Could we bear from one another
What He daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
Loves us though we treat Him thus.
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
--John Newton
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