11.29.07
“A TRUE FRIEND!”
Psalm 41:7-12
“All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. ‘An evil disease,’ they say, ‘clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.’ Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. But You, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them. By this I know that You are well pleased with me, because my enemy does not triumph over me. As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.”
I rejoice at all of the friends that I have made across the years. I have to admit that I make friends easily, and naturally, but I never take these dear friends for granted. I consider my many friends as a very a special gift. But this has not always been the case.
When I was a boy, I did not seem to have friends. Oh, how I longed to have had a friend that was close to me! I spent most of my life feeling that I was unique in not having close friends. But as I matured and talked with more and more people, I came to realize that most people feel they lack true friends, especially when they are growing up.
This passage in Psalm 41 certainly is prophetic of Jesus and Judas Iscariot, but it also has personal implications. There are those times in life when our closest friends turn their backs on us and we find ourselves all alone. This is the time when we need to experience the friendship of Jesus who will never leave us or reject us.
Several years ago, a friend of ours gave us a letter he had purchased in a restaurant. He said that when he saw it he felt that it was a perfect gift to give to a friend of his. Enjoy!
FROM A FRIEND
Dear Friend,
How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you.
I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me, too. I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you—- and I waited. You never came. It hurt me — but I still love you because I am your friend.
I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow, so I spilled moonlight upon your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you! You awoke and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.
If you would only listen to me! I love you! I try to tell you in blue skies and in quiet green grass. I whisper it in leaves on the trees and breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in mountain streams, give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s fragrance. My love for you is deeper than the ocean, and bigger than the biggest need in your heart!
Ask Me! Talk with Me! Please don’t forget Me. I have so much to share with you!
I won’t hassle you any further. It is your decision. I have chosen you and I will wait — because I love you.
Your Friend,
- - - Jesus
There is an old hymn that goes something like this; “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus, He’s the only One who cares and understands. Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him, and you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.” Jesus is our true friend!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil