What A Friend

What a friend…

Jesus calls us His friends. He wants to be with us so much that He desires us to be His friends.

John 15:15 – I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

We are separated from friends right now. Things are beginning to reopen, but we have not had the contact with most people like we are used too. We might not have the ability to truly share with a friend because we can’t meet for coffee. It isn’t as easy to share via text or video calls. I am thankful for this technology, but it just is not the same as actually being with someone physically.

My thoughts as I write this are drawn to WHO He wants to be for me. WHO He wants to be for you!  We do need to have a healthy “fear” of God, but we also must recognize that He sent Jesus, His Son, for a reason. He brought Him to earth to dwell among us. When He dwelt among the people He became their friend.

Remember, He left us Holy Spirit, so we still have His Presence with us. We might not be able to see Him, but we can feel Him and know He is with us, just like a friend.

Take heart today and let Him be your friend. The hymn “What a Friend we Have in Jesus” reminds us of all His Promises for us. Listen and let it bless you, then take all your burdens to Him in prayer.

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh what peace we often forfeit

Oh 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

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is a Christian hymn originally written by preacher Joseph M. Scriven as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. (basic information from Wikipedia)

Shabbat Shalom,

Rose Horton

I put two links in, one for a basic hymn of worship and one done by a young lady with a verse that I have not heard before, but that I enjoyed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SCorW9r_Is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9oRay5YBHg

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash