Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:4).
I hate to wait—don’t you? I want what I want when I want it—sort of like everyone else in America. I have never been good at waiting, and just when I think I’m improving, I get thrown back into one of life’s many challenges.
The apostle Paul, said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. . . .” (— Philippians 4:12).
Paul was speaking from experience.
In that culture there were secret, exclusive clubs. When a man was invited to join, he had to complete a series of secret initiations. He would be given something to do—but it was a secret—he could tell no one. When he had completed enough initiations to satisfy the demands of the club, he was allowed to join. Paul was saying that he had been secretly initiated into God’s “Contentment Club.”
What were Paul’s secret initiations? He had worked harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged with thirty-nine lashes five different times, beaten with a rod three times, stoned once (left for dead), shipwrecked, spent a night and day in the open sea, gone without sleep, food, and water, and exposed to death again and again (II Corinthians 11:21-20).
And if this wasn’t enough, Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan—that tormented him. Paul pleaded with God three times to remove the thorn, but God said to him,
“My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness” (— II Corinthians 12:7-10).
We want patience, but we don’t want to wait for it. We want all of the good things that God has to offer but we don’t want to suffer or pay the price for them. Fortunately for all of us, that isn’t the way God leads.
Sometimes He leads through fiery trials; “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (— I Pet. 4:12-13).
I wonder if it’s significant that in context, both of these passages are dealing with pride. Since God hates pride, and we seem to gravitate towards it, perhaps it is possible to avoid some of our trials if we work at keeping our hearts humble? God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (I Pet. 5:5).
Whether our trials are caused by something in our lives, or God has a specific lesson for us, we should not want to miss the lesson. According to chapters one and two of Job, Satan reports to God on a regular basis and he must ask permission before he can afflict our family, our finances or us.
God sets boundaries and Satan must operate within those boundaries. God allows our adversity for His glory and our good. At the end of Job’s trial, God prospered him twice as much as he had prospered before (Job 42:10).
God has rich blessings in store for us—if we endure patiently. We don’t want to be like the Israelites, who rebelled and complained against the Lord’s direction and spent the rest of their lives in the desert. They never entered the rest God had for them. Rebelling and complaining against the Lord’s leading is unbelief and will keep us from rest.
The Scripture tells us, Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they were not able to enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19).
There was a time when I found myself in a very trying circumstance that seemed to go on and on—and on! I had been asking God to deliver me for quite some time, but I became tired of waiting.
One morning I journaled a prayer for deliverance. I dumped it all on God—again. As I began to get ready for work that morning I heard the Lord speak very clearly to my heart, “You’re praying the wrong prayer.” I should have been praying for strength to endure, for growth, to give honor during my trial, and most importantly, to offer God a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).
I immediately repented, but unfortunately, I didn’t heed the Lord. I didn’t wait too much longer, and then I got myself out of the situation. Alas, instead of persevering and reaping the blessings from being obedient, I have endured the consequences of my actions. Like Jonah, I ran from God’s instructions! But also like Jonah, I paid for my rebellion.
Yes—going against God’s commands is rebellion!
When Jonah rebelled against the Lord’s instructions he was swallowed by a great fish. In trying to digest Jonah, the gastric juices in the belly of the great fish would have turned his skin a yucky yellowish-brown color, and caused the hair all over his body to fall out.
And if that were not enough, imagine the sheer terror of being thrown into the sea, swallowed by a great fish, and being inside its belly—for three days! Jonah must have looked a sight when he entered Nineveh. With no body hair and weird skin color—he must have looked a mess! No wonder several hundred thousand people repented.
So, dear friend, are you in a trial that is testing your faith in the Lord? If you’re not in one, hang in there—one is coming. Trials come to all of us who name the Name of Jesus, Lord. When it comes, snuggle into God’s arms through His Word and prayer, and enjoy the intimacy that only comes through trials. There are wonderful blessings in persevering through a trial that simply cannot be learned any other way.
Blessings or consequences—perseverance is a choice!
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (James 5:11).
Further Study
Psalm 62:1
Psalm 25:4-5
Psalm 27:14
Psalm 33:18-22
Psalm 37:34
Psalm 40:1
Psalm 104:27-35
Psalm 130:5-6
Psalm 145:14-15
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Created for God's Glory
“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” — Psalm 146:2
There is a small island in the Gulf of Mexico that calls me back from time to time to enjoy the splendor of God’s creation. There on this tiny strip of land, I find respite for my soul.
There’s something magical about rising early, just before daylight, and heading for the beach, barefoot, with the high anticipation of watching God paint one of His special sunrises.
It takes about an hour for Him to unveil the full picture. The sky is His canvas; and the paint is the lavish morning colors in another glorious sunrise. They are different every day. I’m not sure how He does that—seems a sunrise is a sunrise—but not on this island. There, God paints a different one every single day!
As I walk along the beach, I marvel at the skill of a small bird (called a Skimmer) that flies just above the rolling waves skimming the water for its daily food. I always catch my breath fearful a wave will take one of the small creatures under, but it never does. It’s as though they have sensors in their wings. You see, God created them to catch their food just before daylight, skimming along just above the water line, beak in the water, snatching tiny aquatic delights for their breakfast.
I can hardly wait for evening to enjoy dinner at a quaint little restaurant that floats on the water on the opposite side of the island. I order my food, find a table next to the water, and watch as a different specie of bird dives deep in the channel for its food. Again, I find myself holding my breath, watching in anticipation for it to surface.
Another kind of bird flies near the restaurant deck, hoping someone will toss it food. This group of beggars hangs out just beyond a boundary of fishing line stretched to keep them from annoying the paying customers while the birds vie for “people food.” We’ve all been annoyed by these birds from time to time.
Still another large bird stands in the shallow water across the channel waiting for its next meal to swim by. The herons stab fish with their pointy beaks, holding it until it stops wiggling; then they toss it in the air, catching it so that it enters their open mouth head first—they swallow it whole. Each fish takes several minutes to swallow. They will eat three fish each time they feed and no more (some of us need a dose of their self control).
Enjoying these sights, I ponder the different ways God has designed these birds to feed; the way the undulating ocean waves continue to roll in, and even the sand fleas that sometimes swarm and bite the back of my legs.
I am smitten by the fact that all of these things do what God has created them to do—without question. Day after day the birds feed in their own way, the sand fleas bite, and the waves just keep rolling in. There is no question and no choice.
The heron does not decide to dive in the channel for its food, nor does the skimmer decide to stand in shallow water and stab a fish or dive in the channel for shrimp. Each of them knows the way they are designed to live—and they do it.
The sun doesn’t make the decision to shine at night, nor does the moon decide to shine during the day or not shine at all. All of God’s creation does the thing for which they were created—with one exception.
God has given humans a choice—to do what we were created to do—or not!
The LORD has said, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7).
We humans have the awesome privilege of choosing to glorify our Creator when we do what we are created to do. It is a daily choice to live for Christ—or live for self. Do what the Bible tells me to do—or do what I want to do. Serve others—serve self.
But we belong to Elohim, the Almighty God. We have been purchased by the precious blood of His Son, and our life is to be lived in worship of Him.
The great Bible Teacher, Kay Arthur said, “His Name is Elohim, the Almighty God, our Creator. We have been created for His glory, for His pleasure. Our life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him. To show the world the character of God, His love, His peace, His mercy, His gentleness. We are to live for Him, to accomplish His will. To miss this is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived.”2
The question is—do you want to live?
“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” — Psalm 145:1, 2; 150:6
Further Study
Philippians 2
Philippians 4:1-9
Job 38-42
Isaiah 42:5-9
Isaiah 43:1-5
Isaiah 45:2-7
Daniel 2:20-23
There is a small island in the Gulf of Mexico that calls me back from time to time to enjoy the splendor of God’s creation. There on this tiny strip of land, I find respite for my soul.
There’s something magical about rising early, just before daylight, and heading for the beach, barefoot, with the high anticipation of watching God paint one of His special sunrises.
It takes about an hour for Him to unveil the full picture. The sky is His canvas; and the paint is the lavish morning colors in another glorious sunrise. They are different every day. I’m not sure how He does that—seems a sunrise is a sunrise—but not on this island. There, God paints a different one every single day!
As I walk along the beach, I marvel at the skill of a small bird (called a Skimmer) that flies just above the rolling waves skimming the water for its daily food. I always catch my breath fearful a wave will take one of the small creatures under, but it never does. It’s as though they have sensors in their wings. You see, God created them to catch their food just before daylight, skimming along just above the water line, beak in the water, snatching tiny aquatic delights for their breakfast.
I can hardly wait for evening to enjoy dinner at a quaint little restaurant that floats on the water on the opposite side of the island. I order my food, find a table next to the water, and watch as a different specie of bird dives deep in the channel for its food. Again, I find myself holding my breath, watching in anticipation for it to surface.
Another kind of bird flies near the restaurant deck, hoping someone will toss it food. This group of beggars hangs out just beyond a boundary of fishing line stretched to keep them from annoying the paying customers while the birds vie for “people food.” We’ve all been annoyed by these birds from time to time.
Still another large bird stands in the shallow water across the channel waiting for its next meal to swim by. The herons stab fish with their pointy beaks, holding it until it stops wiggling; then they toss it in the air, catching it so that it enters their open mouth head first—they swallow it whole. Each fish takes several minutes to swallow. They will eat three fish each time they feed and no more (some of us need a dose of their self control).
Enjoying these sights, I ponder the different ways God has designed these birds to feed; the way the undulating ocean waves continue to roll in, and even the sand fleas that sometimes swarm and bite the back of my legs.
I am smitten by the fact that all of these things do what God has created them to do—without question. Day after day the birds feed in their own way, the sand fleas bite, and the waves just keep rolling in. There is no question and no choice.
The heron does not decide to dive in the channel for its food, nor does the skimmer decide to stand in shallow water and stab a fish or dive in the channel for shrimp. Each of them knows the way they are designed to live—and they do it.
The sun doesn’t make the decision to shine at night, nor does the moon decide to shine during the day or not shine at all. All of God’s creation does the thing for which they were created—with one exception.
God has given humans a choice—to do what we were created to do—or not!
The LORD has said, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7).
We humans have the awesome privilege of choosing to glorify our Creator when we do what we are created to do. It is a daily choice to live for Christ—or live for self. Do what the Bible tells me to do—or do what I want to do. Serve others—serve self.
But we belong to Elohim, the Almighty God. We have been purchased by the precious blood of His Son, and our life is to be lived in worship of Him.
The great Bible Teacher, Kay Arthur said, “His Name is Elohim, the Almighty God, our Creator. We have been created for His glory, for His pleasure. Our life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him. To show the world the character of God, His love, His peace, His mercy, His gentleness. We are to live for Him, to accomplish His will. To miss this is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived.”2
The question is—do you want to live?
“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” — Psalm 145:1, 2; 150:6
Further Study
Philippians 2
Philippians 4:1-9
Job 38-42
Isaiah 42:5-9
Isaiah 43:1-5
Isaiah 45:2-7
Daniel 2:20-23
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Friends
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me” (Psalm 139:1).
I had lunch a few days ago with a dear friend. I could say “old friend,” but being female I’ll refrain from saying “old.”
I’ve known Pat for over forty years. Actually, I met her when I met my husband’s family. Her family had been long-term friends with his family. It has been a wonderful relationship through the years.
We don’t get together often, but when we do, we chatter for as many hours as we can glean from our schedule that day, knowing that it has to last until we meet again.
There is no want for words. No silences in the conversation. We pick up on phrases from each other and just continue talking.
It’s not that we necessarily always agree. In fact, it is common for us to disagree on various topics—and we cover a plethora of topics during our time together. But we disagree amicably, stating our view, with the other stating their view, and then moving on to another topic.
She is a dear friend that I value very highly. I think the length of time I’ve known her contributes greatly to that value. No cover-ups. No hiding anything. She knows me well.
I have another dear friend whom I’ve known for over thirty years. Lorna, too, is a highly valued friend. She is a completely different personality than Pat.
But the same wonderful conversations develop between us. Again, there is no want for words.
No lapses in conversation. No silences. We don’t always agree on every topic either, but there is a mutual love and respect between us that is of infinite worth.
Both of these women have brought something very special to my life. I am blessed, and I am better for having known them. Both of these women have known me long before I accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.
They knew me when. . . .
Both of these women know me so well that either of them would be able to defend my character and my morals. Because they know how I think, they would be able to defend my thought process.
If they were to hear something about me that was untrue, they would be able to say, “Oh, no, I don’t believe that, Peggy would not do that.”
Likewise I would be able to defend either of these women. I know them well. I know how they think. I know their integrity. I know what they would and would not do in any given circumstance.
Now, I’m not naïve. I know there are things within each of our hearts that we can never know about another person. But I have known these women for a long time, and I’ve watched how they’ve weathered their many storms, and they have watched as I’ve weathered mine.
Watching each other persevere in very trying circumstances through the years has established a respect for the character of the other. Wonderful!
I am so fortunate to have these two women in my life.
I’ve read that if we have one true friend, a bosom friend, a kindred spirit, one who knows us and loves us “warts and all,” then we are truly blessed. Since I have two such friends, I am indeed abundantly blessed.
Did I mention they are “dear friends?”
And then I have my Best Friend. I haven’t known Him as long as I’ve known Lorna and Pat, but He has known me since before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4).
Actually I know Him better than I know Lorna and Pat. The reason I know Him better in a shorter period of time is because He has written all about Himself in His personal Love Letter to me. Not only has He told me all about Himself, but He tells me all about me, too, warts and all (Hebrews 4:12).
Again, there is no want for conversation between us. I don’t even have to call Him on the phone or meet Him for lunch. I just have to think, and He knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely . . .” (Psalm 139: 4).
The amazing thing is that He can and does read my mind even before I know the thought is there, and He loves me anyway. Don’t be shocked. He loves you too, in spite of some of the things you think!
One of the wonderful things about good friends is they never intrude. They value each other’s space and privacy, so they don’t tire of one another.
Because Jesus is my very Best Friend, I spend a great deal more time with Him than I spend with anyone else. Of course, He spends every second of every day 24/7 with me and He never tires of me, nor do I tire of Him. He never gets bored with our conversation, nor do I.
I want to know everything about Him. So, I’ve set apart time each morning to spend with Him. I talk to Him throughout the day. I study a great deal. I discuss everything with Him. And I do nothing without first consulting Him.
The reason I value Him so highly and spend so much time with Him is because He loves me and values me highly (Ephesians 1:1-6). In fact, He loves me enough to die for me—and He did—for you too.
Think about it. Before we were ever born, God died for us.
He created a perfect world. We sinned. (I can say “we” because if Adam and Eve had not sinned, and the world would have been perfect down through the centuries, when I was born I would have been the one who sinned—and so would you.)
But God loved us so much that He left His beautiful heaven to come to earth and live as one of us and die for our sin. There was only one way for us to get to heaven, and that was for us to be perfect every minute of every day of every year of our lifetime here on this earth.
Since we can’t be perfect for even a few minutes, the likelihood of us getting to heaven was nil. So God did it for us. Heaven is frosting on our already delicious cake.
Knowing God is without equal.
As much as I value my friends, and they value me, earthly relationships pale in comparison with our relationship with Jesus, our Best Friend.
Of course, the wonder of my Best Friend is that He died for me so that He could have me with Him forever—the same reason He died for you.
But of nearly equal importance is how much He loves us, knows each of us, searches our inmost spirit, and then provides exactly what we need. How amazing is that?
Think about it.
The Best Friend we have knows us from the inside out. We can tell Him anything—because He knows it already.
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).
In this world there are many sorrows, hurts, pain, disillusionment, rejection, and the list goes on and on. But we have a Best Friend Who lives on the inside of us, Who constantly searches our spirit, and then communes with God what He sees there (Romans 8:27), and then takes appropriate measures to satisfy our deepest desires.
How cool is that?
There are times when I don’t know what I want. I try to think things through as best I can with my limited knowledge. But when it’s all said and done, I rely on my Best Friend to search me, cleanse me, purify me and make me whole.
He knows all things, controls all things, and His love is infinitely greater than we can fathom, we can depend upon Him to work out our lives for our good and His glory.
After all, that is why we were created (Isaiah 43:7).
My Best Friend knows me better than anyone else, even my long-term friends. He knows my character, my morals, and He knows how my mind works.
He defends me against the enemy, and He is always interceding for me (Hebrews 7:25). He is my Refuge, my Shield and my Rampart (Psalm 91).
He never listens to gossip. He always knows truth. He doesn’t always agree with me, but when He shares His view, I always agree with Him. What a wonderful Best Friend. I rest in His Presence.
What about you? Do you know my Best Friend? How much time do you spend with Him? Is the time you spend with Him commensurate with someone you would claim to be your best friend?
Do you read His Love Letter to you? It is filled with wonderful truths about Him that cannot be gleaned any other way. Do you remain in constant prayer all day—every day with your Best Friend?
Are you resting in Him?
Remember, life isn’t about what is going on around you that is tangible and temporal. Life is simply the means by which we establish our destiny with our Best Friend.
Just a thought, but if you don’t want to spend time with Him here on earth—are you really sure you want to go to heaven?
Heaven will be all about Him.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).
Loving His Presence now is evidence that we have made our reservation with Him—forever.
Are you anticipating eternity with Him?
Don’t let anyone or anything cause you to lose your eternal focus. And don’t let anyone or anything intrude upon the most valuable relationship of life.
Jesus, your Best Friend. Your closest Friend. He is your Advocate, your Defender, your Protector, your Shield, and He is your Refuge.
He is the very best part of life—don’t miss Him. Don’t settle for the mundane and mediocre of this life. Don’t settle for a bologna sandwich when you can have Fillet Mignon.
So, do you know my best friend?
You are my friends if you do what I command. 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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 15:14-16).
Recommended Reading
Hebrews 3:1-6
Hebrews 4:14-16
Hebrews 8:1-6
Hebrews 9:11-15
Hebrews 10:19-39
Hebrews 12:1-11
Hebrews13:15-16
I had lunch a few days ago with a dear friend. I could say “old friend,” but being female I’ll refrain from saying “old.”
I’ve known Pat for over forty years. Actually, I met her when I met my husband’s family. Her family had been long-term friends with his family. It has been a wonderful relationship through the years.
We don’t get together often, but when we do, we chatter for as many hours as we can glean from our schedule that day, knowing that it has to last until we meet again.
There is no want for words. No silences in the conversation. We pick up on phrases from each other and just continue talking.
It’s not that we necessarily always agree. In fact, it is common for us to disagree on various topics—and we cover a plethora of topics during our time together. But we disagree amicably, stating our view, with the other stating their view, and then moving on to another topic.
She is a dear friend that I value very highly. I think the length of time I’ve known her contributes greatly to that value. No cover-ups. No hiding anything. She knows me well.
I have another dear friend whom I’ve known for over thirty years. Lorna, too, is a highly valued friend. She is a completely different personality than Pat.
But the same wonderful conversations develop between us. Again, there is no want for words.
No lapses in conversation. No silences. We don’t always agree on every topic either, but there is a mutual love and respect between us that is of infinite worth.
Both of these women have brought something very special to my life. I am blessed, and I am better for having known them. Both of these women have known me long before I accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.
They knew me when. . . .
Both of these women know me so well that either of them would be able to defend my character and my morals. Because they know how I think, they would be able to defend my thought process.
If they were to hear something about me that was untrue, they would be able to say, “Oh, no, I don’t believe that, Peggy would not do that.”
Likewise I would be able to defend either of these women. I know them well. I know how they think. I know their integrity. I know what they would and would not do in any given circumstance.
Now, I’m not naïve. I know there are things within each of our hearts that we can never know about another person. But I have known these women for a long time, and I’ve watched how they’ve weathered their many storms, and they have watched as I’ve weathered mine.
Watching each other persevere in very trying circumstances through the years has established a respect for the character of the other. Wonderful!
I am so fortunate to have these two women in my life.
I’ve read that if we have one true friend, a bosom friend, a kindred spirit, one who knows us and loves us “warts and all,” then we are truly blessed. Since I have two such friends, I am indeed abundantly blessed.
Did I mention they are “dear friends?”
And then I have my Best Friend. I haven’t known Him as long as I’ve known Lorna and Pat, but He has known me since before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4).
Actually I know Him better than I know Lorna and Pat. The reason I know Him better in a shorter period of time is because He has written all about Himself in His personal Love Letter to me. Not only has He told me all about Himself, but He tells me all about me, too, warts and all (Hebrews 4:12).
Again, there is no want for conversation between us. I don’t even have to call Him on the phone or meet Him for lunch. I just have to think, and He knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely . . .” (Psalm 139: 4).
The amazing thing is that He can and does read my mind even before I know the thought is there, and He loves me anyway. Don’t be shocked. He loves you too, in spite of some of the things you think!
One of the wonderful things about good friends is they never intrude. They value each other’s space and privacy, so they don’t tire of one another.
Because Jesus is my very Best Friend, I spend a great deal more time with Him than I spend with anyone else. Of course, He spends every second of every day 24/7 with me and He never tires of me, nor do I tire of Him. He never gets bored with our conversation, nor do I.
I want to know everything about Him. So, I’ve set apart time each morning to spend with Him. I talk to Him throughout the day. I study a great deal. I discuss everything with Him. And I do nothing without first consulting Him.
The reason I value Him so highly and spend so much time with Him is because He loves me and values me highly (Ephesians 1:1-6). In fact, He loves me enough to die for me—and He did—for you too.
Think about it. Before we were ever born, God died for us.
He created a perfect world. We sinned. (I can say “we” because if Adam and Eve had not sinned, and the world would have been perfect down through the centuries, when I was born I would have been the one who sinned—and so would you.)
But God loved us so much that He left His beautiful heaven to come to earth and live as one of us and die for our sin. There was only one way for us to get to heaven, and that was for us to be perfect every minute of every day of every year of our lifetime here on this earth.
Since we can’t be perfect for even a few minutes, the likelihood of us getting to heaven was nil. So God did it for us. Heaven is frosting on our already delicious cake.
Knowing God is without equal.
As much as I value my friends, and they value me, earthly relationships pale in comparison with our relationship with Jesus, our Best Friend.
Of course, the wonder of my Best Friend is that He died for me so that He could have me with Him forever—the same reason He died for you.
But of nearly equal importance is how much He loves us, knows each of us, searches our inmost spirit, and then provides exactly what we need. How amazing is that?
Think about it.
The Best Friend we have knows us from the inside out. We can tell Him anything—because He knows it already.
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).
In this world there are many sorrows, hurts, pain, disillusionment, rejection, and the list goes on and on. But we have a Best Friend Who lives on the inside of us, Who constantly searches our spirit, and then communes with God what He sees there (Romans 8:27), and then takes appropriate measures to satisfy our deepest desires.
How cool is that?
There are times when I don’t know what I want. I try to think things through as best I can with my limited knowledge. But when it’s all said and done, I rely on my Best Friend to search me, cleanse me, purify me and make me whole.
He knows all things, controls all things, and His love is infinitely greater than we can fathom, we can depend upon Him to work out our lives for our good and His glory.
After all, that is why we were created (Isaiah 43:7).
My Best Friend knows me better than anyone else, even my long-term friends. He knows my character, my morals, and He knows how my mind works.
He defends me against the enemy, and He is always interceding for me (Hebrews 7:25). He is my Refuge, my Shield and my Rampart (Psalm 91).
He never listens to gossip. He always knows truth. He doesn’t always agree with me, but when He shares His view, I always agree with Him. What a wonderful Best Friend. I rest in His Presence.
What about you? Do you know my Best Friend? How much time do you spend with Him? Is the time you spend with Him commensurate with someone you would claim to be your best friend?
Do you read His Love Letter to you? It is filled with wonderful truths about Him that cannot be gleaned any other way. Do you remain in constant prayer all day—every day with your Best Friend?
Are you resting in Him?
Remember, life isn’t about what is going on around you that is tangible and temporal. Life is simply the means by which we establish our destiny with our Best Friend.
Just a thought, but if you don’t want to spend time with Him here on earth—are you really sure you want to go to heaven?
Heaven will be all about Him.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).
Loving His Presence now is evidence that we have made our reservation with Him—forever.
Are you anticipating eternity with Him?
Don’t let anyone or anything cause you to lose your eternal focus. And don’t let anyone or anything intrude upon the most valuable relationship of life.
Jesus, your Best Friend. Your closest Friend. He is your Advocate, your Defender, your Protector, your Shield, and He is your Refuge.
He is the very best part of life—don’t miss Him. Don’t settle for the mundane and mediocre of this life. Don’t settle for a bologna sandwich when you can have Fillet Mignon.
So, do you know my best friend?
You are my friends if you do what I command. 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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 15:14-16).
Recommended Reading
Hebrews 3:1-6
Hebrews 4:14-16
Hebrews 8:1-6
Hebrews 9:11-15
Hebrews 10:19-39
Hebrews 12:1-11
Hebrews13:15-16
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