Best Friend!

'The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.'*

Best Friend. It has a lot of images and memories for people; some priceless, funny, heart warming, and rich memories. Others may have more complicated or painful memories, of misunderstanding, betrayal, or loneliness. I have both.

It can be deeply hurtful when a close friend breaks trust, King David too felt this pain; 'Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.'** It's so hard to understand, deal with, and forgive.

There is one friend I can count on, no matter where I am, or what time of day or night it is, how long I want to talk, regardless of how angry or happy I am, they want to hear from me and love being with me. Even if I fail on my side to be such a good friend, I can trust their side to be constant.

My Best Friend has experienced great pain, indescribable rejection, overwhelming loneliness. And through those experiences He can be such a good friend to me! He understands life, because He lived life! I cannot comprehend just how forgiving and compassionate and loving God is, in giving His Only Son. I am speechless when I reflect how Jesus reached into our lives, experienced life on earth, became a man, so that we could know God as Friend, as well as Lord and King!

Jesus told His followers, 'You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.'****

We can know God as Father in a personal and intimate way! We can know God the Son, 
Jesus, as a Friend and Brother! This is all possible because we are not alone, God gave His Spirit to all who believe, so that we can be part of this intimate relationship. God's Spirit speaks our language and the language of God, groans when we don't have the words, and comforts us with peace when we need it.

Last year every few days on my way to uni there was a busker who played his Chinese string instrument, the erhu****. Please take the time to listen to the following link and reflect on what a great Friend Jesus is!

...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. ...

*****

*Psalm 25:14
**Psalm 41:9
***John 15:14-15
**** if you want to hear what it sounded like... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41vSo_qEPY4)
***** What a Friend we have in Jesus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XRmGEbH0qs)