A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.—Proverbs 18:24
Sometimes even as believers we can feel very alone in this world. This proverb is a good reminder that we are not. A friend chosen wisely and in the Lord can be more loyal than a brother. Very often these friendships can be stronger than even the ones of close family members.
Beloved…as believers, we do have this kind of friend, in Jesus. He IS our Friend who sticks closer than a brother. In Him, we truly have everything we need.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.—John 15:14-15
Wow! That is quite an incentive to walk with God in obedience. Friendship to me speaks of sacrificial love, faithfulness and constancy and truly Jesus embodies all three. He is the One who says I will help you and the One who promises to be with us always even to the end of the age. He is our Savior…the One who loved us so much that He died for us. He is also the One that is even right now is preparing a place for us in heaven. Jesus says this in John 14:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Listen also to His words in John 13…
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.—John 13:1
Jesus faithfully loved those God had given Him to the end..to perfection…to completion…to the uttermost…to the goal. He loves us in the very same way as we journey through this life.
We have also been given the comfort of the Spirit. (John 14:15-18) The word translated “Comforter” is parakletos, referring to someone “called to one’s side.” With His disciples, Jesus was limited in that He could only be in one place at one time. That is why He would say, “It is expedient for me to go away that the Comforter might come (John 16:7). The Comforter is One who will heal your hurts, still your storms, and supply your needs.”
The words from Psalm 73 come to mind here.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.—Psalm 73:23-24
1 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!
2 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!
3 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.
Worship and Rejoice, 2003
Joseph M Scriven
