Weekly Devotional

The Webster’s New Dictionary defines a friend as one attached to another by affection. The word friend is used so casually in today’s vocabulary that our description of a ‘true friend’ may take on a whole new meaning. The word of God definitely has more to say about friendship and reveals to us the character of genuine friendship. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”(Prov 18:24) A true friend will remain at our side regardless of changes in our status or circumstances surrounding our life. “Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.”(Prov 19:4)

As believers we have a true and faithful friend in Jesus Christ. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends….
(Jn 15:13-15) As we walk in obedience to His word, we display true friendship in return. No other friend or family member can ever love us as Jesus does. He has made every provision for His friends. We have His Spirit within us so that we may be comforted in times of need and encouraged to continue in His will.

In the book of Mark, chapter two, we read of a man sick with palsy and his four friends carrying him on a bed. By faith, they sought entrance into a house, in order to reach Jesus so that he may heal him. Because of the crowd, they had to climb onto the roof and lower their friend down where Jesus stood. They displayed genuine friendship and faith by not giving up when it was impossible to enter through the door. (See Mk 2:2-5)

Are you a true friend to those around you? More importantly, are you a true friend to Jesus Christ? You can't be a friend of the world and serve the Lord at the same time. (see Matt 6:24) Once you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are no longer your own and have an obligation to serve Him unreservedly and without compromise. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."(I Cor 6:20) A true friend will do what is right according to the truth of the gospel; regardless of the consequences. Jesus says that He will never leave us or forsake us. "For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."(Prov 4:26) We must learn to trust Him no matter what the odds are. He has given His life's blood for our eternal security and redemption, and nothing will ever change our position in the family of God.

Thank you Lord Jesus that I have you as my faithful friend. Even when I was your enemy, you died in my place, that I might be freed from the bondage of sin and death. May the awesome love that you have shown me, be motivation enough for me to be a true, Godly friend to those in my life. Help me to trust in You for all things and seek Your will for my life through prayer and meditation upon Your Word. Teach me the true meaning of friendship through Your divine guidance and wisdom, that I may be an encouragement to others. "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel."(Prov 29:9)