I am a friend of God

Day 22 — I am a friend of God

“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.” Jn. 15:15 

Do you know the old hymn— What a friend we have in Jesus?

I love that song because it expresses the heart of what I’d like to write today. In Christ, we have the privilege of being called a friend of God — a friend of the God of the universe.

Can we just think about that for a minute? As followers of the Lord Jesus, we have the amazing honor of being a friend of God! Even as I think about it now, it’s hard to grasp my mind around what this really means. But the glimpse of revelation I do have floods my heart with hope. 

I don’t know about you but I haven’t always been the best kind of friend — I’ve let people down and the same has happened to me. Once I had what I thought was a really close friendship and suddenly it ended from one day to the next. My friend simply stopped talking to me and wouldn’t tell me why.

Losing close friends this ways is painful and difficult. And in this world full of imperfect people, it should be no surprise that we let each other down. But I’m so grateful to know that Jesus will never let us down — He won’t abandon us from one day to the next even when we don’t know how to be a friend to Him.

Sometimes I feel like no one understands me — have you ever felt that way? While this is true, I also know that no one knows your heart like the Father. No one’s walked in your shoes, no knows your history but God does.  

In times, when I’m struggle with belonging and being understood, I know I can pour out my heart to God. I can tell Him as it is — without any filters. He can handle all my unbelief, my doubts and fears. Often, in the midst of telling Him everything, I sense His presence and peace. And I receive the assurance I need in my heart — it’s going to be okay. 

People may come and go and while nothing in this world may remain the same, one thing I know — Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. His loves remains forever. 

There’s got to be no greater joy than to know Jesus more and more and to be known by Him. Joseph M. Scriven, who wrote classic hymn, knew Jesus as a friend when he penned these lyrics (1855) which are still sung today. 

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, 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.”

How about you friend, are you a friend of Jesus?

#Write28Days. This post is part of a 28-day writing challenge where I’m joining other bloggers to write daily during February. Go here to see the other post in this series — Who I am in Christ.