August 20 I Saturday

Psalms 105-106

1 Corinthians 3

“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”     

—Psalm 25:14 ESV

Imagine we are out having coffee with our spouse, our parents or our best friend. We will find it natural to share anything because we feel absolutely safe with them. Now, what if we were out having coffee with God, would we be able to share those same things with Him? Another way of rephrasing that question is, how is our prayer life with God?

       In Christ, we are invited into a relationship with God where we can boldly and confidently commune with our heavenly Father and engage in friendship. This is not because of who we are but because of what Christ has done. Jesus explains the reality of this friendship with God to His disciples: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends…” (John 15:15).

       When we study the Old Testament, we can find that there are others whom God also calls His friends. Abraham communed with God and he was referred to as God’s friend: “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham My friend...” (Isaiah 41:8). While Abraham’s friendship with God displayed reverence and obedience, there was also a familiarity in his walk with God. We also see it with the life of Moses, who had a unique relationship with God at the tent of meeting. “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). It is almost unfathomable that the Creator of the universe—the One through whom all things come into existence through His Word—calls these men, as well as us, His friend.

       Our friendship with God can only be cultivated by a life of prayer and familiarity with God. We find this to be true in the life of David, whose many prayers that he penned became psalms, such as, “Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy....You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long” (Psalm 86:1-3). And we also see it with Daniel— while he was in Babylon, he remained devoted to God in prayer. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God…” (Daniel 6:10).

       If we have not communed with God for a while, would we set aside some time to speak to Him today? Sit down and “have a coffee with God,” lay bare what has been weighing heavy on our hearts and pour it out to Him—our friend.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You have called me friend. Cultivate and grow my friendship and familiarity with You. Praise You!