Precious Lord, You freely spoke of friendships with mortals in Your Word: Moses, Abraham, David, Elijah, Martha and Mary. Some were leaders and others ordinary people. I find the term “friend”, as it applies to me, hard to comprehend. I think in terms of myself as a servant, subject, obligator, follower and disciple. However, as I reflect on Your relationship with man in the Garden of Eden, I sense a strong desire on Your part to have a close relationship with those You created. You walked and talked with them daily and shared with them things from Your heart. Only when they rebelled against You and disobeyed Your command did they fall out of good graces with You … but You never stopped yearning for restoration and an intimate relationship with them and their heirs.
You’ve said in Your Word that a friend must show himself to be friendly. How is this done? By being open and honest in dialogue? By feeling true sorrow for a friend who is hurting or wronged? By being steadfastly loyal through thick and thin? Be being a willing and attentive listener? By responding to calls for help or guidance? By loving unconditionally at all times? By giving wise counsel? In an act of humility, subjecting one’s self to the lower position in the relationship? I think it is in all of these things. And I’ve come to the conclusion that friendships involves more than words … it involves loving action and devotion to the one of our affection.
I believe that there are things that are important to understand in a relationship with You: First, You have fulfilled every definition of friendship that I can imagine … and I see myself as having a long ways to go; secondly, friendship with the world reflects a minimization of Your role in my life … for I cannot serve man and You; thirdly, to reject Your offer of friendship means that I reject You, Your love, Your protection and Your provision … in rejecting Your friendship, I accept the premise that I am unlovable and You cannot look past my flaws (How wrong it is to think that way.); and finally, friendship with You permits me to ask You favors and expect that You will respond in a positive way.
Thank You, My Gracious Lord, for Your patience and long-suffering towards me. I know that as I follow Your lead … remain committed to Your Word for my guidance … ignore the distraction and trappings of the world … and spend quality time with You … our relationship will grow and a true friendship will emerge. As a result of our closeness, my faith will grow … my confidence will grow … and, I will grow to be more like You. May everything that I think or do be aimed at achieving the goal of friendship with You. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
John 15:13 Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.