I have had many friends in
my life, ones from childhood, from my school years,
university days, and adulthood. Many of these
friendships waned, not for bad reasons, but simply
because we moved on with our lives in career,
location and life. I have had a few unhappy
friendships with people I cared for but who used me
for their own purposes, then dropped me when I was
no longer useful to them. Yet, I am fortunate
to have a small group of faithful friends of many
years, who love me for who I am and see the good in
me, even when I cannot see it myself.
The best friendship to
have is with God. The apostle Paul speaks of
this friendship, bought at a great price, in ~Romans
5:10-11~. For since our friendship with God
was restored by the death of His Son while we were
still His enemies, we will certainly be saved
through the life of His Son. So now we can
rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God
because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends
with God. (ESV) God’s anger against ungodly
behaviour and my lack of righteousness was placed on
Jesus as my substitute. In this dramatic way,
even while I was His enemy, He reconciled me to God,
and the blessings I receive are all the greater for
it.
No eye has seen how He saw
me;
Alone, afraid, apart.
My own friends were afar
or gone,
He loved me from the
start.
O Lord, You gave Yourself
for me,
Your only Son to send.
When I was still Your
enemy
By grace made God my
Friend.
We all can have a brand
new relationship with our Father God, not through
any good things we do, but because the Lord Jesus
has made us friends with God. Some friends on
earth may desert or disappoint us, but there are
others who pray for us in loving support. Our
Lord is a Friend who will never let us down or leave
us; instead He has made a promise. “It is the
Lord who goes before you. He will be with you;
He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not
fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)
Prayer: Thank you, Lord,
for your loving and eternal friendship. We
acknowledge what this friendship cost in the
sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, so we could be
reconciled with You. May we be a blessing to
our friends on earth with good deeds and prayer, and
bless Your name for being our never-ending Friend.
Amen.
Shirley Moulton
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.