Developing Godly Friendships

A man who has friends must himself be friendly.

Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

   The Lord desires for you to have an intimate relationship with Him, but He doesn't stop there. He wants you to have enriching fellowship with other people as well. When you are lonely, you are to turn first to the Father. But you can also rely upon the people He has placed in your life.

   Friend, God has given you people to love. They may not be the ones you wish you had a relationship with, but the Lord has placed them in your life for a purpose. And your loneliness will be remedied by interaction with them rather than by an escape into fantasy or other addictive behavior.

   One of the greatest blessings in life is a godly friend. So don't be reluctant to call upon your loved ones when you experience moments of loneliness, grief, debilitating loss, or profound despair. He has placed other people in your life to love you, spend time with you, and help you break through the wall of separation you feel from the world.

   Therefore, don't remain isolated. Reach out to others and thank God for your friendships.

Father, lead me to godly friends who

demonstrate Your love and faithfulness. And

help me to be that friend to others, amen.

In His presence. . . turn toward godly friends.

Stanley, Charles F. "Developing Godly Friendships." Every Day in His Presence: 365 Devotions. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. page 381.

Christ as life, hide in Jesus Chrust

The wall

Carolyn S. Smith

  

I built a wall around my heart,

A safe place I could hide.

A secret place for just myself,

With all my pain inside.

Others came to visit me,

And though we laughed and cried,

I hid my pain behind the wall,

They couldn't come inside.

One day Jesus came to me

And though I longed for peace,

I was imprisoned by my pain

And couldn't find release.

I could not bring myself to let Him

Come inside the Wall.

And though He helped tremendously,

I couldn't give my all.

As time flew by, my longings

Increased to highest peaks.

I yearned for His fellowship,

I hungered for true peace.

Quietly, He waited there,

Just outside my Wall.

Not asking once or rushing me,

Just loving despite all.

At length one day I knew that I

Could no longer hide.

I asked Him to destroy the wall

So He could come inside.

My heart beat quite alarmingly,

My mind was filled with fear.

My Wall was gone - where would I hide

My anger and my tears?

Amazingly, a peace began

To fill my soul anew.

A quiet joy, an unknown strength

More than I ever knew.

I looked around and saw the Wall

Lay shattered at my feet,

But suddenly I didn't care,

I had a peace so sweet.

I knew at once the pain that had been

Bottled deep within

Had only been a symptom

Of bitterness and sin.

As I released the sin and pain,

Jesus wiped away my tears.

I understood He was my friend,

And He would calm my fears.

And just as sure, I knew that now

He always would abide.

I knew that when I faced new fears,

In Him, now I could hide.

So now instead of crouching

In pain behind my wall,

My hiding place is Jesus,

The greatest place of all.