What a Friend!

If you were asked, what constitutes a good friend? How would you respond? Would you immediately consider your friends and the qualities that make them good friends? Would you think about some of the great friendships of history and why they are considered good examples of friendship?

Psalm 145:13-14 says, “The Lord is faithful is all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” What a friend we have in Jesus! He is always faithful in everything that He has said. He is always kind in everything that He does, holding us up when we feel like we are falling and raising us up when we feel like we are broken. If we simply trust Jesus, He will be the best friend we could ever hope to have.

Talk About It

Most of us have no problem telling others about the good things that we have done. Whether it be vacation details, awards received, athletic conquests, or compliments received, we generally do not hesitate to tell the stories to friends, family and acquaintances.

Psalm 145:4-6 says, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.” God’s majesty can be seen in His wondrous works. Meditating on God’s splendor and mighty acts feeds our faith to believe Him for more awesome deeds. Then we can speak of His might and greatness to others.

Notifications

One of the things that I don’t like about social media and smartphones is the overuse of notifications. Depending upon how you set up your phone and apps, you can receive notifications almost constantly. These notifications can be annoying as many are just spam notices trying to sell something. 

II Chronicles 36:15 says, “The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.” God will repeatedly send His Word to you because He has compassion toward you in your weaknesses and wants you to come near to Him for hope and healing. His notifications are worth listening to, however, because they will lead us in the ways that we should go.  Many of God’s notifications come as compassionate warnings to protect us from false and misleading paths.

Mind Tricks

As I age, like most people, I am saddened not only by physical weaknesses but also by the loss of mental acuity. My mind has begun to play mental tricks on me.  For instance,  I will enter a room and instantly forget why I came into the room. Or worse yet, get to the doorway and forget whether I was going in or coming out. Fortunately, my God suffers no such loss of mental power.

Psalm 139:2-5 says, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” Whether we are doing the same old things or something new, God will lead your steps and hold you close to Him if only you will ask Him. He knows you better than you know yourself and will lead you in the best way. He knows all the possible paths that we can take and will lead us by His goodness and power.

Snippets of Joy

As I look back over my life, I find satisfaction in the snippets of joy that I remember. Admittedly, some joyful times last much longer than a short snippet, like marrying my beautiful and loving wife. Then there has been the birth of three children and six grandchildren that still bring joy to my heart. But there have also been snippets and longer times where joy was hard to find. Certain trials are not remembered so fondly. But even in the midst of these so called bad times, if I look closely and remember correctly, I find joy peeking out from beyond the clouds. God has been able to sustain me through the bad times and bring me to a place of healing and hope with real joy.

Psalm 4:7 says, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” We find more joy in God than the world can ever offer us. Rejoice in all that the Lord has provided to you. Praise Him for His grace and mercy through the ups and downs of life.