THANKFUL FOR FRIENDSHIP

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you FRIENDS...” – John 15:15 a

Along with Family, let’s be THANKFUL for FRIENDSHIP: “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 hear from My Father I have made known to you” (Jh.15:15). We are born into family; we make friends. Acquaintances cannot compare with faithful friends. Yet, in those valley-like seasons of feeling friendless, the Lord Himself teaches us to rely on Him, trusting in His ultimate, unfailing Friendship, as the Friend who sticks close than a brother (Pro.18:24).

Thank God for soul friends who sharpen us mutually, bring out the best in us, nurture our souls' soil like a hearty fertilizer, and help us flourish into who God created us to be (Pro.27:17). A one-sided relationship where only one is putting in, or only one is taking something positive away, is not a friendship. Work relationships may work like this – a secretary serves the boss but the boss does not serve the secretary – but not friendships. Friends enrich our lives in unspeakable ways, water our souls, heal our hearts, and testify to God’s great love. They bring us back to who we are in Christ, challenging and cheering us on throughout life’s journeys, speaking God’s Truth, to keep us from losing our way; spiritually-connected godly friends create and sustain mutually-beneficial and strong bonds.

1 Samuel 18-20 tell the stories of two soul friends: Jonathan delighted in David (19:1); spoke well of him (19:4); was loyal to him (20:4); defended him (20:32); cared about him (20: 34,41); respected his privacy (20:39); and God was the bond of their friendship (20:42). Sadly, Jonathan’s father, King Saul, wanted to kill David, being jealous of him; hence, David had to flee. Both friends wept when they had to say goodbye: “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam.18:1).

When we feel a lack of friends, we can lean on the one Soul Friend who never leaves us; He loves at all times (Pro. 17:17). Jesus is the Friend who laid down His Life for us and shares everything with us that His Father reveals. He chose us, and teaches us to go love others likewise (vv13-17). He’ll encourage, equip and embolden us to become the best of friends, blessings others with our lives and His Love.

Let’s thank God for friends who stay close even when marriage or other life changes move families apart. Thankfully, with cell phones and the likes, we can keep in touch with friends at any time. Now, friends can help friends and pray for friends even from long distances.  

Thank You Lord for the gifts of our precious friends You have blessed us with, cherishing ourselves, and displaying Jesus’ kind of Friendship!