Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Friends of God

“Some friends are closer than brothers.”
Proverbs 18:24 
In the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo sets out on a quest. Despite Frodo’s order to his best friend Sam not to go along with him, Sam follows Frodo from a distance and when he is needed, Sam guards, guides, provides for and encourages Frodo. Ultimately, as Frodo’s strength to continue the quest wanes, Sam carries him.

The story of Sam and Frodo’s friendship is one that Solomon might have used as an example of Proverbs 18:24, “Some friends are closer than brothers.” A true friend can be more loyal, more helpful, more in tune with us than a member of our own family—kind of like the little bird protecting the mouse in the picture I chose for Foto Friday.

When we see a friend heading for trouble, what should we do? Proverbs 12: 26 tells us that a righteous man guides his friend. When a friend messes up, Proverbs 17:17 advises us to show love and share trouble.

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reminds us that when the road is hard, two are better than one. Tasks get accomplished quicker with two people working on them. Challenges can be faced when a friend stands by us.

Interestingly, Proverbs 27:6 says that a friend means well even when he hurts us. Have you ever been in a situation where, in order to do what’s best for a friend, you had to risk hurting them? Being honest, breaking a promise of silence, or telling a friend “No”, can hurt them initially, but it just might keep them from making further mistakes and save them in the long run.

 In John 15:13 Jesus tells us that the greatest love a friend can show is to lay down his life for his friend. Although we are rarely called to physically give up our lives, sometimes true friendship requires us to lay aside our own wants and feelings. We may have to put up with hurtful comments from others because of a friendship. We might need to give up what we have planned in order to help a friend. At times we may have to stand with our friend even when others are making disparaging remarks about them.

In John 15:15, Jesus calls us friends. But, how is it possible to be friends with God? It’s possible because Jesus doesn’t just talk the talk—He walks the walk! In Romans 5:10 we learn that when Jesus gave his life on the cross, he tore down the barriers of sin separating us from him. When we believe that truth and trust in him, we gain the awesome privilege of becoming friends with Jesus! Woo Hoo!

One of my absolute favorite songs is “Friend of God”. I first heard this at a Women of Faith event with some of my very best girl friends. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. Doesn’t it just put your feet to dancin’?

©2012 Pamela D. Williams