Day 58 – God as Friend
Brother Lawrence wrote about God as a Friend: “We cannot have too much trust in so good and faithful a friend, who will never fail us in this world or the next. He is always near you and with you; do not leave him alone. You would consider it rude to leave a friend who is visiting you by himself; then why abandon God and leave him alone? Do not forget him. Think of him often, adore him continually, live and die with him. This is the true occupation of a Christian; in a word, this is our trade.”
Many names, titles, and metaphors are used for God: Savior, Lord, Holy One, Sovereign Lord, Eternal God, Heavenly Father, Good Shepherd, King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator, Father of the heavenly lights, Rose of Sharon, Lily of the Valley, Alpha and Omega, Redeemer, Comforter, Mighty Fortress, Rock, Loving God, Constant Companion, Prince of Peace, Faithful One, God of all Hope. The list is endless, really.
Of all the names and metaphors for God, one that captures Brother Lawrence is Friend. One who is good. One who is faithful. One who will never fail us. Always near us. Always with us.
A friend is someone we know. Someone we talk with. Someone we like. Someone we trust. Someone we like to be with. Someone we do things together with.
Brother Lawrence invites us to know God in this way as a Friend.
You probably have different kinds of friends – casual friends, close friends, best friends, newer friends, longtime friends. Brother Lawrence reminds us that as dear as our earthly friends are, God is our closest Friend.
The Scripture announces, “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11, NLT). Jesus showed us this heart of friendship with God, and he is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
God is never too busy. Always available. Easy to be with, unless we have sin piling up in our lives. But even then, as a friend, he helps us work through our issues.
And just as ignoring our friends is rude, ignoring God, our true closest Friend, is rude. The best way to nurture such an important friendship is by staying connected with God throughout the day.
Thinking of God often. Loving Jesus continually. Living in the Spirit. This is the glorious business of a Christian! In a word, it is our calling.
Question: Is the idea of “God as Friend” weak or strong for you? How might your relationship with God improve, alter, or change if Friend were a strong image for you?
This is God’s Word for you today,
Pastor Dave
