The ultimate Friend

One of the better-known verses in the Book of Proverbs reads: "There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Prov 18:24). 

We all need a friend - someone to whom we may turn; with whom we may talk; and to whom, at  times, we may even physically cling.  This is something that many are realising, more than usual, as we are unable to meet with friends who are, normally, a very important part of our lives. Sometimes friends are family members. Sometimes they are co-workers. Sometimes they are near neighbours. Sometimes they are former school-mates. Sometimes, they are "Facebook Friends"!

But not everyone has a friend - not even a "Facebook Friend"! Many people go through life with the sinking feeling that there is no-one who really cares for, or about, them in a special way. That can be a lonely, even haunting, feeling.

To anyone in that situation - and, indeed, to anyone at all! - permit me to suggest the Ultimate Friend! He is, of course, the Lord Jesus, the Christ. He is the One Who, far more than any human acquaintance, can meet our deepest companionship needs. He is the One Who has promised His friends: "... I am with you always ..." (Matt 28:20). He is One Who will never "unfriend" you. 

And there is so much more! When we consider all that God does for us - and the Lord Jesus is, of course, God! - it's actually quite obvious that He is our greatest Friend! In Psalm 145, David assures us that: "The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down." (v.14). He goes on to state that: "The eyes of all look to Thee, and Thou givest them their food in due season." (v.15).

My late paternal grandmother was a woman of very little formal education - but she was endowed with loads of homespun philosophy, and common sense! One of her frequent comments was: "Show me your friends,and I'll tell you your character"! With Almighty God as your Friend, you have nothing to fear on that score! David goes on to say: "The Lord is just in all His ways, and kind in all His doings." (v.17).  He is "... near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." (v.18). "He fulfils the desire of all who fear Him, He also hears their cry, and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love Him;" (vs.19-20).

Ever-present; upholding; providing; just and kind; responsive; preserver.

What a Friend! He is, indeed, the Ultimate Friend. He is our Certainty in uncertain times. Depend on Him.

A Mule's Wisdom

The story is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. One day, the mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or whatever mules do when they fall into wells - and, after carefully assessing the situation, he decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together and told them what had happened and asked them to help carry soil to the well, to bury the old mule and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But, as the farmer and his neighbours continued shovelling and the soil hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovelful of soil landed on his back, he should shake it off and step up! So this is what he did, shovelful after shovelful; blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

You guessed it! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What had seemed as if it would bury him, actually end up blessing him.  All because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

Of course, in addition to "shaking it off and step up," disciples of Jesus have a wonderful heavenly Father to help get us through tough times. When the going gets tough, keep looking up, and trusting Him.