Friend

During worship on Sunday we praised our Lord by lifting up to Him, the song, “I Have a Friend in God”. God is my Lord and Savior but He is also my friend. I have known and have felt His presence and friendship with me since childhood.

My friend Heidi, was brought up knowing God as a punishing, strict, and authoritarian God. She never thought of Him as her friend. Before her death in February of 2009, we had many conversations about God’s love and His personal friendship with each of His children. She did meet Him as her friend and their relationship changed. She always knew that He was there for her but now they could have genuine, earnest, and honest conversations. When we know God as our friend we don’t loose our Holy fear or respect for Him but we are no longer afraid to come to Him with the big things, or the little things, in our lives. He is always there for us, a true friend. She is with her Lord, her friend, now. I miss her but the love and relationship of a friend lasts forever. This I will always have.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples and to us in John 15:9-17. This is what He said, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in His love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in His servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you what ever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love one another”. Jesus was preparing His disciples for what was to come. He was going to be obedient to God and lay down His life for them and for you and me, His friends.

My grandson Trevor at 7 years of age has a very special friend, Jack. Their moms were friends and introduced these children to each other while in the womb. They were born a few weeks apart. They played together, went to nursery school together, and developed a very special bond. I have never heard them argue. They both love Legos and Wii and are experts at both. They defend each other and stick up for each other. This past summer, Trevor chided a group of peers for laughing at his friend because Jack was upset and crying. Now, each having started first grade in different schools, time and the busyness of schedules have kept them apart. Erica came downstairs this morning before they were to leave for school. She found Trevor sitting on the couch with Jack’s picture in his hand. He started to cry and express how much he misses his friend. Erica comforted him and told him that they would call Jack on the cell phone as they drove to school. He ate breakfast with Jack’s picture at his side and on the way to school, Jack was called. The moms made arrangements for all of them to get together that day after school. I am glad that Trevor, at such an early age, has developed such a true and deep friendship. A special friend is a gift that will last a lifetime. Whether near or far or whether here or in eternity, the bond of friendship can never be broken. We must love each other, forgive each other, and care for each other as Christ has done for us.

In 1855, Joseph Screven wrote the poem, “What a Friend we Have in Jesus”. In 1868 it was put to music by Charles Converse. The words speak to our hearts about the wonderful personal friendship of our personal friend and Savior, Jesus. Jesus is Lord, The Messiah, The Christ, The Son of God. He is our friend.

“What a Friend we Have in Jesus”

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.