God's Friend

Did you know that God considers you His friend?  Think about that for a moment.  Let it sink in.  And before you say "Well, I don't know how that is possible.  I'm just me.  Small, fallible, human me." let me tell you I say the same thing too.  But just look at those that were considered "friends" of God in the Bible.  Abraham, David, Moses.  Look at the Apostles in the New Testament.  All friends of God.  All small, fallible, humans who made mistakes, who had highs and lows in their walks with God.  I read a devotional in "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers recently and as I read this my spirit rose within me in joy at being considered God's friend...at even the possibility that I could be His friend.  

And what is the best way to get to know your friend?  By hanging out with them of course!  I read 1 Chronicles 16:27  Honor and majesty surround Him; strength and joy fill His dwelling.  And think about Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.  Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace.  Isn't this someone you desire to hang out with?  

One thing all the above mentioned Bible people have in common was they spent time with their Lord.  And the more time we follow their example, the more time we spend with our Savior, the more we know His will and are able to walk in the way He walked, in love, wisdom and power.  Our prayers and desires will line up with God's heart because He will show us His desires for us and for those around us.  

But knowing God, being His friend and walking in His ways come with effort.  We are led by the Spirit when we obey Him.  We show we are His friend by following His ways.  And the more we follow Him, the more He reveals Himself to us, the deeper our friendship becomes.  Luke 14:21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Jesus Himself knew that if He was to walk in the Father's will, to act like a friend if you'll allow me some poetic license, was to spend time in prayer and fellowship with His Father and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We often see Him stealing off for time alone with the Father.  

Another thing that proves we are friends with God is our belief.  James 2:23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.  Friends trust one another.  

And lest you think this whole friendship with God all relies on yourself, look what Paul told us in Romans 5:10 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.  This friendship with God was initiated and made possible by Jesus Himself.  It didn't start with us.  It wasn't our idea.  And we didn't earn it.  Our job is just to do what it takes to walk in it and grow that friendship through time, faith and obedience.  

Lord, thank You.  The thought that You would call me friend.  Dare I believe!  I feel so insignificant and unworthy...and yet.  In Psalm 8:4-5 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.  Amazing.  You are amazing.  Help me and all of us to honor and revel in this friendship.  Help us to do our part to cultivate and cherish it.  And as we do this, we look forward to seeing You work through us and touch the lives around us with Your power and love.  We pray this in Jesus Name.  Amen.  

You are God's friend.