Do you have even one friend who has NEVER disappointed you? Are YOU that kind of friend? It’s a rare and powerful gift to have a completely faithful friend. But it seems no matter how wonderful even our best friend is, they can’t always be there when we need them. Why not? Well, even the most loving, well-intentioned friend has problems and struggles of their own. They are incapable of handling both our problems and theirs. They have their own bills, family crises, heartaches, and daily obligations. But, how amazing to find that after we receive the gift of salvation, we can enter into the most extraordinary friendship—with God. We belong. We are His family. He is our protector, father, mother, wise counselor, lover of our soul, comforter, redeemer, peace-giver, joy-filler, goodness-supplier, and He is full of compassion for us in every step of our walk.
Have you experienced this, or does this sound ridiculous?
If you have not experienced this—I get it. Until I passionately searched to know God, I never would have believed such a friendship existed. I mean, how can you be friends with someone you can’t even see—right? And for most of my life, my picture of God was that He was a distant, powerful and scary being. Well, of course, because that’s what our enemies want us to believe about God! Satan doesn’t want us to discover this transformational, powerful friendship! But when I determined to passionately seek to know the God of the Bible no matter what I had to give up—I discovered—boy, oh boy—was I wrong!
Now—God is the most real and consistent friend I have. In fact, His friendship inspired me to write the song “Best Friend.” He gives me so many reasons to love Him and seek to be a better friend to Him, for example:
- God ALWAYS wants me—even when I’m a mess and acting completely unlovable.
- God KNOWS me better than I know myself.
- God can handle my problems.
- God forgives me over and over again even though He knows I’ll do the same thing again and again.
- God gives me the only perfect peace that I have ever known.
- God knows everything but only gives me the knowledge I can handle for today.
- God is all-powerful and He gives His strength to me.
- God is compassionate even when I’ve wronged Him.
- God guides me to say and do things far beyond my own strength and wisdom.
- God always makes life better in all the most important ways, like giving me more love, joy, and peace!
No other friend does these things for me; AND when I am close to Him—I can be MORE of a friend like Him—to others!
Jesus explained exactly how we can have this remarkable friendship with Him:
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:9-15
We have a strong aversion to the idea of “obedience” to God’s Word. But again, this thinking manifests the extent to which our enemies have deceived us. We ALL live in obedience to someone—even if it’s just ourselves and our own insatiable desires. The difference is—when we are living in obedience to God—He doesn’t enslave us—we gain an irreplaceable friendship.
If you are reading this devotional and you have never experienced the deep, deep friendship of God, then first—make sure you are born again—and then, turn around and run to Him. Don’t be afraid of giving up your own way in favor of His perfect ways. It’s SO worth it.
Jesus died to give us a friendship that is far greater than we could ever ask for or imagine!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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4 Responses
God’s ways are better than our ways .
Amen!
Today’s message is a very powerful message Kimberly, and it really hits home. Thanks so much for your daily words of support. They are extremely important and appreciated. Have a great week.
Thank you for the words of encouragement! You have blessed me today and I appreciate it so much.