Daily Devotional for Thursday, August 1

God and His Faithful Friends

“Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad,” Psalm 53:6.

When you think of a friend of God, the first person that often comes to mind is Abraham. Abraham had a special relationship with the Lord. When the Lord told Abraham to leave his home and his country, he obeyed. He did not know where God was taking him, but he followed and was faithful to do as God commanded him (Hebrews 11:8-10). When God promised Abraham that he would have descendants as innumerable as the stars in the night sky, Abraham believed God. The Lord then made a covenant with Abraham and his seed that will never pass away. Abraham truly was the friend of God. “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend” (Isaiah 41:8).

Jesus also spoke to His disciples about friendship. “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; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14, 15). How exciting that we have the great privilege to be friends with the Creator. He is our Lord and Savior, but He also extends the opportunity for us to be His friends if we will be obedient to Him in all things.

How precious to have such a close walk with our Lord Jesus that He would be our closest friend. He is always there when we need a friend, but are we faithful to Him? Walk close to the Lord Jesus Christ and live in obedience to His Word. He will be the most cherished friend we will ever have.

REFLECTION
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Darla Goodrum