What is it about friendship that makes it so special?
Growing up I didn’t have a large group of friends, instead I surrounded myself with a few, close confidantes that I trusted. I’d often been told I was weird…maybe it was because I rarely felt that I fit.
Trust.
A big key to friendship is trust. For me…huge. I grew up struggling to trust anyone and that’s why my circle of true friends was so small.
My verse today is Psalms 25:14 “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” (NIV)
confides
The word confides in this verse is within the context of deep friendship. I can hardly wrap my head around the concept of the Almighty confiding in me. Sharing his heart, expressing his thoughts, sharing his plans.
I was created for fellowship with the Lord, with my maker. He wants to be my friend. He reaches out to me first…in an act of selfless abandon, no shying away or hiding who he really is behind layers of deception.
No. Straight up, hands held out to me, no fooling around.
I fit. With him I don’t feel out of place or silly, weird or strange.
fearfully
Notice how friendship never blossoms when someone is putting on airs. Notice how deep relationships can’t form when pride stands front and centre. Notice how shallow the relationship when I’m more concerned about me than I am about you.
He reaches out to me but my response is everything.
Fear.
Not fear, as in, afraid of what he may do to me. Not like he’s waiting squash me like a bug as many think.
Instead, reverence. Awe. Struck silent by sheer holiness examining my naked heart as I stand before him.
When I accept his hand of friendship he lovingly brings me into his inner circle.
covenant
His covenant is his power. His word. His integrity. My teacher.
I learn about him through his covenants with me, his promises. His power to perform the mighty acts he said he would, his power to save me, his power to forgive, his power to love even when I am unlovely. His power to transform a wayward life and a nature prone to sin.
He is trustworthy because he never fails. His word never fails. His love never fails.
The crazy thing is that he wants me to understand him.
He longs for me to know him and yet I’ve been tricked into thinking it’s too hard. I’ve fallen prey to Satan’s lies that it’s unattainable and too lofty for me.
Of course I’m not worthy. It is too lofty! Only Jesus provides the way.
But here it is…HE makes his covenant known to me when I simply come to him in humility and brokenness, knowing that nothing in myself deserves to be in relationship with him and yet accepting it as the wonderful gift that it is, and reciprocating.
Learning to hear him speak. Figuring out what his voice sounds like in my heart. Spending time in solitude and silence so we can commune.
Thank you Lord for being my friend and wanting to be in close communion with me. Thank you for your promises that are true and trustworthy, thank you for your faithful friendship that I can depend on. Help me to be a better friend to others as a result of my friendship with you. I love you Lord.
reflect…
1. What does friendship with the Lord mean to you?
2. What kind of a friend are you and how can you better reflect Christ in your relationships?
3. How will you intentionally draw closer to the Lord in the coming days?