Day #14: Sunday, January 17th

Friendship is a Choice

Scripture References: James 4:8, Jn. 15:14, 2 Cor. 11:2, Ps. 27:4

Devotional

He offers His friendship to the godly." (Prov. 3:32 NLT) 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)

Did you know that you are as close to God as you choose to be?

Developing your friendship with God won’t happen by accident.  It will take time, energy, and desire on your part. 

BE HONEST with God.
God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but He does insist on complete honesty.  Abraham questioned and challenged God over the destruction of the city of Sodom.  God listened patiently to David’s many accusations of unfairness, betrayal, and abandonment.  Jeremiah claimed that God had tricked him and Job was allowed to vent his bitterness in the midst of his ordeal.  In all of these examples, God listened and did not dismiss His servants for their honesty.  

What may appear to some as audacity is authenticity in God’s eyes.  Be honest with God, sharing your true feelings, not what you think you ought to feel or say.  David wrote, “I pour out my complaints before Him and tell Him all my troubles.  For I am overwhelmed.” (Ps 142:2-3).  It is encouraging to know that all of God’s closest friends - Moses, David, Abraham, and Job did not mask their faults and bouts with doubt but rather, candidly voiced them openly and publicly.  Expressing your true feelings is the first step toward intimacy with God.

OBEY GOD IN FAITH
Every time that you trust God’s wisdom and do whatever He says, even when you don’t understand it, you deepen your friendship with God.  Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (Jn 15:14). Although we hold a position of friendship with God with special privileges, we are still subject to the king and have to obey His commands.  We are friends with God but we are not His equals.  He is our loving God and we follow Him.  

VALUE WHAT GOD VALUES
Friends care about what is important to the other person.  The more you become God’s friend, the more you will care about the things He cares about.  In Paul’s life, God’s agenda was his agenda, and God’s passion was his.  “The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much—this is the passion of God burning inside me!” (2 Cor. 11:2 MSG).  God cares about the redemption of His people and His lost children being found.  Let’s do the same.

DESIRE FRIENDSHIP MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE
David said, “The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory.” (Ps. 27:4 LB) Paul wrote, “ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly],”  The truth is - you are as close to God as you choose to be.  God told Jeremiah, “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” (Jer. 29:13 MSG)

Remember, it’s your choice.  You are as close to God as you choose to be.

Prayer

"​Lord, as I seek you today, I will be honest with You.
I will share my true feelings with you, knowing that You always accept me.
I will trust and obey your direction, even when I don’t understand it.
Help me to see others the way You do.
Change my heart to value what You value - precious people.
Your friendship is my highest priority, no matter what.
I choose to seek after you, today and forever.
In Jesus’ Name."