Friends

One of the greatest gifts that God has given to us to combat "the trouble" of this world is a friend. What joy we find in a simple conversation. What healing there is in a shared burden. What peace there is feeling the company of others that care for us.

Jesus made it clear that there would be plenty of stuff to cause us problems in this life. John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The Good News is that Christ has overcome the world. Not only has He provided ultimate victory through His sacrifice on the cross that provides us grace. His resurrection gives us the hope of heaven and His personal presence in our lives.

Through His presence we have the Almighty as our friend. John 15:15 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." And what a friend we have in Jesus. As the old song by Joseph Scriven says...

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.

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.

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 thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
in His arms He’ll take and shield thee—
Thou wilt find a solace there.


Not only do we have the honor of being friends with God, we also have other sojourners that travel this path to glory with us. When we live in a community of saints, our faith grows, our lives are richer, and our purpose is made clear.

What we read that happened in the early church is what God desires for us today.

Acts 2:42–47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

As we go through sickness, job loss, failed pregnancies, successful pregnancies, adoptions, the terrible twos, school, adolescents, a tough economy, a spiritual bankrupt society and spiritual warfare, we can go through it all with Christ and other friends of faith. And we will find strength, hope, and love.