Dr H Reflections

The inner joy of the Lord ∙

The inner joy of the Lord ∙

The joy of the Lord is your strength – Nehemiah 8:10

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Many of the challenges and demands of 21st-century life are beyond what previous generations could have imagined. How often do we hear the phrase, “It’s complicated?” Our schedules are full of activities and responsibilities. Consider those who are affectionately called “soccer moms.” In the “old days,” kids on local high school teams typically boarded a bus and drove 10 to 40 miles to a game. Nowadays, these dedicated mothers drive hundreds of miles to ensure their children can engage in sports. Remarkably, these committed mothers adeptly manage their schedules to make it all work. They have learned the art of time and life management.

It seems like everywhere we turn, we find an Overwhelmed Opal, Gloomy Gus, Anxious Ashley, or Doubting Dave. For them, life is more like watching an autopsy than being at a joyful celebration filled with happiness and hope.

Paul tells us how to be successful in both simple and complicated situations. Rather than telling us to try harder, Paul tells us to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him the center of our attention. How is this accomplished? We have to change our way of thinking. Rather than concentrating on our obligations and duties with concern, Paul offers an alternative to struggling. He provides three straightforward directives: be joyful, pray continuously, and give thanks always.

Instead of permitting life to overwhelm us, we accept each day as the Father’s will for us. We decide in advance to have a positive attitude characterized by faith and dependence upon Him. Then, we simply follow through. Over time, it may well become our standard practice and routine.

Pause for a moment and reflect. Can you imagine the Lord Jesus Christ being rushed or experiencing disappointment or sorrow because He failed to accomplish something?

Neither can I.

REFLECT & PRAY

When we look at everything around us, we can easily become overwhelmed. The tasks at hand can appear unmanageable, and time is too short. Increasing the amount of time we have available is not possible, but better time management is.

Father encourage me to focus on You, practicing joy and gratitude regardless of the circumstances, knowing that all things come through Your hands. It is all part of your well-thought-out, intelligent design for my life.

INSIGHT

Nehemiah 8:10 Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!

No matter how far we have fallen or what we have done, the Father always remains our strength and protection. The Father has provided something for each child of the King to sustain, undergird, and uplift them. It is like a supernatural, miraculous elixir. It is described in one simple word: joy. But it is not just any joy; it is “the joy of the Lord.” More precisely, it is the joy in the Lord. That is the joy that children of the King experience when they rejoice and delight in the Father’s presence.

Some have merely heard of this joy, a few have caught a fleeting glimpse, but others have quenched their thirst in the exquisite presence of the living Father God. How sweet it is.

The Hebrew word translated as strength is maoz. Maoz literallyreferred to a mountain stronghold or fortress. The word is most frequently translated as strength in the Old Testament. It “denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger” (Barnes). “It means ‘bulwark’ or ‘protection.’ NJB translates the whole clause as ‘the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.’ FRCL renders this: ‘The joy that comes from the Lord will give you strength.’ CEV restructures it to say, ‘he will make you happy and strong.’ [The Hebrew] proclaims ‘the joy of the LORD is the strength of you.’ . . . ‘the joy of the LORD is your rock of protection’” (UBS).

Along with Psalm 46, this thought inspired Martin Luther’s hymn, “A mighty Fortress is our God.”

We can rejoice when we realize and understand that our omnipotent, omniscient Father orchestrates the events of our lives. The Father, using His boundless wisdom, has thought everything through. He exercises His power and authority to accomplish His purpose. He not only arranges our circumstances; He is with us in them. He is always with us and never leaves us.

Matthew 28:20 Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Paul is clear in the steps of action we are to take.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Prayer is spiritual breathing. Just as breathing is predominantly automatic and unconscious, regulated by the autonomic nervous system, prayer can be continuous and unceasing. It takes place without conscious effort. In the same way, we breathe air without ceasing; we can pray without ceasing. This type of prayer becomes an attitude of dependence and continual conversation.

Over time, some children of the King have mastered the art of spiritual breathing through determination and practice. They unconsciously pray without ceasing, turning to the Father for direction, guidance, and inner peace. This practice has become a joyful habit and an integral part of their lifestyle. They’ve learned to express gratitude not solely during favorable moments but also during challenging and demanding ones. They instinctively seek to glean the lessons the Father imparts in every circumstance they encounter.

Developing a spirit of gratitude should be the goal of every child of the King. We should develop a life practice of gratefulness. Instead of reacting to life’s fluctuations with questions, objections, or challenges, our initial response should be gratitude.

Sadly, we have all experienced the opposite. We know what it is like to complain, be discouraged, and feel irritated, frustrated, angry, and resentful. How often have we rehearsed and acted out the sad, melancholy script of lamenting and mourning how things are?

Instead, every child of the King should practice, practice, practice gratefulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

The choice is always before us.

Philippians 3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-26-1

Bread from heaven ∙

Bread from heaven ∙

In the morning you shall be filled with bread, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God. – Exodus 16:12

Exodus 16:13-15

13 So it came about . . . In the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.

15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”

“The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys” (Malcolm S. Forbes).

So often, people are not satisfied with what they have. It seems that they always want something else, something more. When does this begin? It seems to set in at a very young age. Commonly, a child is not satisfied with their toys for very long. They often want something different, particularly what somebody else has. The point is that whatever we have is never enough.

So it was with the children of Israel in the wilderness. They had just witnessed ten of the greatest miracles of the Old Testament. That was soon followed by the amazing miracle of the opening of the Red Sea, allowing them to escape Pharaoh’s army while destroying it simultaneously. They had been set free and given liberty from their taskmasters. They were no longer slaves to the Egyptians. Were they grateful? Did they give thanks and praise to the Father? No! They complained and were not satisfied with what they had.

Exodus 16:2-3

2 The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.

3 “If only the LORD had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

Whatever gratitude they had did not last long. Rather than being thankful for what they had, they focused on what they did not have. It seems incredulous. Until we do a little introspection, examine our own hearts, and recognize we do the same thing.

The Father graciously gave them what they asked for.

Exodus 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day.”

Exodus 16:14-15

14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.

15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.

The Father has a sense of humor that bubbles to the surface now and then. He is delightfully playful numerous times. As HE observes the people walking about questioning, wondering what they see, they keep asking, “What is this, please?” That is, “Ma-na, ma-na, Ma-na”? He simply says that is what you will call it – Manna.

Manna was the bread of heaven. It was a supernatural provision that lasted for 40 years. But it was much more. It was a prophecy, a picture that one day, the Father would provide a far more wonderful and satisfying bread of heaven.

Deuteronomy 8:3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

How can we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord?

REFLECT & PRAY

“When Jesus called Himself ‘The Living Bread,’ He was not claiming to be exactly like the manna. He was claiming to be even greater!” (Wiersbe)!

Father thank You for providing the True Bread of Heaven, your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for drawing each child of the King to the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

In John 6, an exchange ensues between the Jewish religious leaders and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ claims to be sent by the Father as the true bread which comes out of heaven.

He tells the crowd that the Father wants them to believe in the One He sent. The crowd responds. They challenge Him. Since He made such extraordinary claims, they ask to show us a sign that we would believe in You.

Speaking of bread, it brings to mind when the Father provided the heavenly bread, manna, through Moses.

John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

They began to murmur. Unified consensus eluded. They could not fully agree because they knew He was Joseph and Mary’s son. How can he say He came from heaven? How can he make such a claim?

Reacting to these doubts, the Lord Jesus Christ makes even bolder statements. Some have thought there is a suggestion of cannibalism.

But the mystery of this passage is found within it. When understood, it explains itself, and the secret is resolved.

John 6:53-58

53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.”

54 “But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.”

55 “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”

58 “I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did even though they ate the manna but will live forever.”

This discussion revolves around understanding and embracing the true bread of heaven. There’s no physical bread here, only the presence of Lord Jesus Christ. He does not intend for them to eat Him or drink His blood.

John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

To cease to be hungry, to eat is to come to Him. To cease to be thirsty, to drink is to believe in Him.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-16-1

Don’t get sidetracked ∙∙

Don’t get sidetracked ∙∙

Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. – Proverbs 4:27

Jeremiah 15:19 If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

Getting sidetracked is a universal occurrence that can affect anyone. Our attention diverts from the primary task or objective, often toward matters of lesser significance. Consequently, our intended accomplishments are left incomplete.

Our original intentions and aspirations tend to fall by the wayside. We lose focus. We get off the main highway and begin to follow bunny trails. Frequently, we remain oblivious to this process as it unfolds. Recognizing the shift that has occurred takes time, leaving us slightly bewildered. This state of confusion can easily give rise to feelings of frustration and annoyance.

As we progress in age, these instances of diversion seem to become more commonplace. For example, we might enter a room only to forget momentarily why we did. But be of good cheer; forgetting a few things is not a sign of early-onset dementia. But if it’s ever happened to you, it sometimes feels like it.

Like the United States Marines, the Father is looking for a few good men and women. During Old Testament times, there was a special subset among the children of the King: His servants, the prophets. The Father’s prophets were His representatives, His emissaries. They were often sent to deliver a message. They could not be easily deferred. They did not back down or get sidetracked. They remained resolute in steadfast.

The Father explained this to Jeremiah simply and succinctly as a part of his prophetic commission.

Jeremiah 15:19 “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

The book of Proverbs is full of Solomon’s great wisdom. It was parsimoniously summarized in Proverbs 4.

Proverbs 4:23-27

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

25 Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.

27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father uses distractions to urge us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Father it is so easy to be sidetracked and get off course. Help me to respond better to the vicissitudes of everyday life. Help me not to be discouraged by the frustrations and disappointments I encounter.

INSIGHT

To avoid being sidetracked, developing the skill of focused concentration is essential. It should be a top priority. Staying on task requires discipline and practice. Learning to focus and stay focused is a science and art that can be learned. How can we diminish getting sidetracked? By learning to deal with distractions effectively. This often leads to improved focus and increased effectiveness. Here are a few suggestions:

Avoid panic

Confusion and the feeling of losing control can lead to panic. There is often a lot of blaming and self-condemnation. Negative emotions only make matters worse. On the contrary, positive feelings and thoughts yield contrasting outcomes.

What can be done? How do we avoid a downward negative spiral? For children of the King, reading and meditating on the Scriptures can be quite calming to the spirit and soothing to the soul. Revisiting the Father’s promises in the face of our irritations can break the power of our errant propensities. As we turn irritations, frustrations, and burdens over to the Father, He assumes responsibility for our well-being.

Psalms 27:13 Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living?

Slow down

Distractions are always crouching at the door: conflicting thoughts, uncontrollable emotions, bothersome sounds, offenses, slights, or minor interruptions.

What can we do? So, how can we combat these distractions? To safeguard our focus from being snatched away, it’s essential to take control. We’re presented with two primary choices: disregard the distraction or set a mental placeholder and deal with the distraction. Once the distraction is handled, we can then seamlessly realign our focus.

Psalms 66:9 Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Take a break

There are moments when we just run out of gas mentally, and our focus and concentration diminish, causing our focus and concentration to wane. During these periods, we can shift our attention to a temporary new activity, granting our mind a much-needed break. Engaging in physical activity frequently facilitates a reset. A fascinating phenomenon occurs when we intentionally redirect our focus to another task – our brain continues its problem-solving efforts on an unconscious level. As a result, we often find ourselves inundated with novel ideas and potential solutions upon returning to the original challenge.

Psalms 119:67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word.

God uses discipline, not as a whip to force us in line, but as a messenger to urge us back into a safe place. Correction is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God (Stanley).

Jeremiah 15:19 If you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman.

The prophets had a special responsibility to live a life without compromise. This commitment extended to their thoughts and expressions. What really mattered? The precious! They needed to develop the skill of learning to extract the precious from the worthless. To accurately represent the Father and be His spokesman, literally His mouth, they had to live by a higher standard. They could not entertain worthless ideas and speak meaningless words.

The same is true for any child of the King. How well are you doing at extracting the precious from the worthless?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-15-1

A family for the lonely ∙

A family for the lonely ∙

I hold you by your right hand – I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. – Isaiah 41:13

Psalms 68:4-6

4 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD – rejoice in his presence!

5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

There is an epidemic of loneliness raging across America. In the decade preceding the COVID-19 epidemic, nearly 30% of older Americans lived alone. Some 40% said they sometimes or always felt their social relationships were not meaningful, and 20% said they felt lonely or socially isolated.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem. A report by Harvard University researchers found that 36% of Americans are experiencing “serious loneliness,” and some groups, such as young adults and mothers with small children, are especially isolated (Harvard GSE Report, February 2021).

What is loneliness? Loneliness is linked to the quality of one’s relationships. “Social science researchers define loneliness as the emotional state created when people have fewer social contacts and meaningful relationships than they would like – relationships that make them feel known and understood. Essentially, if you feel lonely, you are lonely” (The Week, January 6, 2019).

“Loneliness is the state of distress or discomfort that results when one perceives a gap between one’s desires for social connection and actual experiences of it. Even some people who are surrounded by others throughout the day – or are in a long-lasting marriage – still experience deep and pervasive loneliness” (Psychology Today).

Feelings of isolation, emptiness, and a lack of meaningful connections with others characterize loneliness. It can occur regardless of the number of people around a person and affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Loneliness can have both short-term and long-term effects on mental and physical well-being.

A lack of social connectedness is, for many, very painful. Human beings made in the image of the Father have an innate desire to establish connections.

The Father delights in taking tender care of the children of the King. The Father crafted abundant provisions to address the challenges of solitude and seclusion. “God’s majesty never implies his remoteness from those who look to him; it implies instead his exhaustive attention to detail, and his inexhaustible ability to care for his faithful” (ESV notes).

REFLECT & PRAY

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying” (Arthur C. Clarke).

Father thank You for preparing a family, a home for each lonely child of the King. You know exactly who and what we need.

INSIGHT

The Father protects those who are weakest. He is a father to the fatherless (orphans) and an advocate, defender of the widows, protector of the unfortunate, and dispossessed. As a group, orphans and widows are defenseless. They have no one to protect them. Therefore, the Father personally assumes the role of their protector and guardian.

Deuteronomy 10:18 He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice.

Psalms 68:5 He is a father to the fatherless and an advocate for widows.

But the Father is more than a protector, He emerges as a formidable warrior, championing the plight of the underprivileged and oppressed. In the days of the old West, He might have been likened to a lawman, staunchly upholding justice. He defends those who are the least of the least in society.

As children of the King consider the mighty works of their warrior King, the psalmist invites them to sing, to praise, and make music to His name.

Psalms 68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Exalt the one who rides on the clouds! For the LORD is his name! Rejoice before him!

He is depicted as one who “rides on the sky” or “rides in the clouds.” It is intended as “a poetic description of God’s exalted majesty” (Ross).

This word picture borrows an epitaph of the culture of the day. The mythological storm god Baal was called “the one who rides on the clouds.” This expresses a common intercultural theme of the time. Much like in 21st-century Western culture, almost everyone knows what the Super Bowl is or who Mr. Spock was. And we have common expressions we use, “yada, yada, yada,” “have a nice day,” or “be safe.” “This theme of the Divine Warrior is always closely associated with God’s justice and support for the least of society” (NICOT).

The Father does something delightful and marvelous for those who are alone or desolate. He finds and provides a place for them, a home, a family. The Hebrew word translated as home or family is bayit. Bayit is literally a house, dwelling, building, and thus family or household.

God makes a home for the lonely (he places the lonely in families). – Psalms 68:6

There is a place for each child of the King, a family, a home on earth, and in heaven for all eternity. How marvelous and beautiful.

John 14:2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, I would have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you.

Children of the King will be with the Father for all eternity. The Father is with each child of the King now and forever.

Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

The Lord Jesus Christ made an awe-inspiring promise that He would remain with His followers throughout all their days until the conclusion of the age. His words aren’t a mere promise of future presence; they emphatically declare, “I am with you,” a resounding affirmation of his unwavering presence. This promise holds the certainty of assurance and the timeless perspective, transcending the confines of here and there. When did this begin? His companionship started when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. It extends indefinitely, reaching even to the end of existence itself.

Are you feeling lonely?

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Somewhere (Barbra Streisand)

There’s a place for us Somewhere a place for us

Peace and quiet and open air Wait for us somewhere

There’s a time for us Someday a time for us

Time together with time to spare

Time to learn And time to care

Someday Somewhere

We’ll find a new way of living We’ll find there’s a way of forgiving

Somewhere There’s a place for us (a place for us) Somewhere there is a place for us

Hold my hand, and we’re halfway there Hold my hand, and I’ll take you there

Someday, someday, somewhere, somewhere

We’ll find a new way of living We’ll find there’s a way of forgiving

Somewhere There’s a place for us A time and a place for us.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-10-1

What a Friend

What a Friend

A real friend sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24

John 15:15 I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1819-1886) was an Irish-born Canadian poet. He was educated at Trinity College in Dublin. He committed his life to serving the Lord through his Plymouth Brethren faith.

The Father began in earnest Scriven’s spiritual preparation. Part of his training was learning to overcome horrendous losses. He was engaged to be married. The night before the wedding, his fiancée accidentally drowned. A few years later, he fell in love again and was due to be married, but his second fiancée got pneumonia and died.

Scriven received news that his mother was very ill. The comfort her, he wrote a poem called “Pray Without Ceasing.” It was later set to music and renamed: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

What is a Friend?

A friend is someone with whom you share a mutual bond of affection, understanding, and trust. Friends connect on a personal and often emotional level. Friendships are built on respect, empathy, and genuine care for each other’s well-being.

Friendships can be crucial to our emotional well-being, providing companionship, a support network, and a sense of belonging. Relationships require care, effort, and time. Key characteristics of a friend include:

Trust: Friends can be counted on to keep your confidence and support you in need. There’s a sense of reliability and dependability in a true friendship.

Mutual Understanding: Friends often share similar values, interests, and experiences. They understand each other’s perspectives and can communicate openly and honestly.

Empathy: Friends are sensitive to each other’s feelings and are willing to listen, provide comfort, and offer advice when needed.

Support: Friends provide encouragement and assistance in both good and bad times.

Acceptance: Friends accept each other for who they are without condemnation or judgment.

Reciprocity: Healthy friendships involve a give-and-take dynamic.

Laughter and Enjoyment: Friends often have fun together, sharing laughs, enjoying activities, and creating positive memories.

Communication: Open and effective communication is essential in maintaining a solid friendship. Thoughts and feelings are honestly shared, and conflicts are resolved constructively.

Respect: Friends respect each other’s boundaries, opinions, and differences. Respect is a cornerstone of any meaningful relationship.

Forgiveness: through acts of kindness, patience, and empathy, friends maintain closeness and intimacy. Friends forgive one another, thus avoiding grudges and negative emotions.

REFLECT & PRAY

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!

Father you have chosen to be my friend, my BFF. My mind and heart can hardly take it in. Thank You for loving me and wanting me close to Your heart.

INSIGHT

The Father is loving and kind and makes an excellent friend. Friendship begins with Him. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit interact with one another in perfect love. The heart of God reaches out in friendship to the world.

All children of the King have received a tremendous gift because of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are now friends with the living God, the creator of the universe, the Lord of lords, and the King of Kings. He is truly our BFF!

John 15:15 I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

In the Old Testament era, being called a “servant of the Lord.” That privilege did not belong to just anybody. The prophets were the Lord’s servants (Jeremiah 35:15). But to become a friend of God was an even higher honor.

Exodus 33:11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

Nobody else could get that close. Moses’ privilege was unparalleled.

Yet, because of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, each child of the King has been drawn into a close friendship with God. He is saying to every child of the King, “Let’s be friends.” The Father has befriended us. We become part of His Forever Family.

What is it like to have God as your friend?

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A friend is always faithful, especially in times of disappointment, crisis, or misfortune. The hallmark of a true friend is unwavering loyalty. “The contrast is between casual friends on the one hand and a close friend on the other; it is a contrast between the appearance of friendship and real friendship” (Bland).

In Hebrew, the word translated as friend is rea. Reacan be translated as friend, neighbor, darling, comrade, or companion. A true friend is a companion whose love and affection surpass that of a sibling or a fair-weather friend who is supportive only when it is easy or convenient. A brother is stuck with you. But a friend chooses you.

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

A real friend is also honest and straightforward. They confront and challenge out of love and concern. “The wounds (reproofs) of a friend are faithful (expressive of loyalty and solidarity) and are to be carefully distinguished from the profuse (possibly: deceptive) kisses of an enemy” (Miller).

Proverbs 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

The Father has chosen to be friends with every child of the King. The Lord Jesus Christ was quite explicit when He revealed this incredible fact.

John 15:15 I no longer call you slaves . . .. Now you are my friends,

Being a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ provides a deep and profound connection with Him. As we draw close, know, and follow Him, the Lord Jesus Christ offers unconditional love, wisdom, guidance, confidence, and hope.

How are your friendships shaping up? Have you embraced the concept of the Lord Jesus Christ as your Best Friend Forever? Can you fathom the journey of cultivating and nurturing the profound, continuously growing friendship He has offered? Just envisage the sheer wonder of having the Lord Jesus Christ as your BFF. What could be more magnificent and delightful friendship than that?

What a friend we have in Jesus

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, Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear;

May we ever, Lord, be bringing All to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright, unclouded, There will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise, and endless worship Will be our sweet portion there.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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