“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
–Deuteronomy 20:4 (NLT)
Have you ever had a friend who stands by you through thick and thin? I have, and it can make all the difference in the world. But over the course of my life, many people who claimed to be friends disappeared when the going got tough. So if you have a good friend in this life, you are rich indeed. A faithful friend will stay with you through good times and bad.
My wife is an angel, and the most faithful person I have ever met. She both blesses and enriches me, letting me know that I can shoot for the stars. (But if I miss the stars, that’s okay too.) Because she is there, I know that things will soon right themselves.
Since earthly relationships are limited, however, I also must realize that it is impossible for her to meet my every need. So, let’s compare our earthly relationships to our relationship with God.
In doing this, I would first like to elaborate on what I have mentioned above. Expanding upon these thoughts is imperative, because people will inevitably let us down, and depending exclusively upon another person’s support is dangerous. As human beings, we are constantly changing in different ways, and we tend to base our acceptance on outward appearances alone.
On the other hand, God does not change. He accepts you for the person who you are. He will always be by your side if you ask Him, and He longs to develop a deep and lasting friendship with you.
God is also like a parent who has His child’s best interest in mind. He won’t always give His children everything they want. But God is always a loving father, and He promises to supply our needs according to His limitless riches. God continues to do amazing things in my life, and He will do the same for you as you give Him the opportunity.
Having said this, I have two questions for you to consider. First, what does God think about you? When I’m working as a hospital chaplain, I like to ask people a similar question. This quandary may be revolutionary for you, and if you really stop and think about it, it will blow your mind.
If you have never thought about the fact that God finds you interesting, you can know that He certainly does, and that He wants to get to know you better. The Bible says that we are the apple of His eye and the center of His attention.
Building upon that, here’s the second question: Have you ever found somebody special that you really had to get to know? Of course you have. A friendship with God works in a similar way. He doesn’t just think about you. He is very interested in your every action.
In fact, he finds you and me so special that He sent His son to die for us. I used to pass out a gospel tract that said, “Jesus loves you so much it hurts.” This outstanding quote was accompanied by a picture of a hand with a nail piercing it. That picture made me think about just how much God gave up for us.
Pondering His inexhaustible love will lead you to a further progression in your thinking, and searching the scriptures will tell you more about His amazing love. The Bible contains promises that will support and encourage you, and while you may get confused by things you don’t understand, God wants to speak to you through the things you do grasp. Instead of seeing scripture as a dry and boring book, He wants to show you that His love is a light shining on every page.
To do this effectively, get into a quiet place. Then, after you have prepared your heart, ask God to give you a hunger and wisdom that will allow you to delve deeply into His Word.
I can say from experience that you will be surprised by the huge amount of love God reveals to you. If you develop and cultivate a personal relationship with Him, you will come to know an infinitely loving and faithful friend who will never leave or forsake you.
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870.
Finally, you’re always welcome to join our Tuesday night Bible study. These studies are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 5:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 313-209-8800. Our PIN is 8699032. We hope to talk with you soon!
If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.