Friendship with God
Friendship with God is sweet and satisfying companionship. It’s a friendship that is pure, patient, and true. It’s a solid confidence that He is with you and will never leave nor forsake you. Friendship with God is a comfort in His presence. It’s a trust in His leading. It’s a peace unexplainable. Befriending the Lord leads to walking with Him and talking with Him and resting in him and working alongside Him. Friendship with the Lord also means hearing His voice and obeying His word. Friendship with God is a love that’s true and beautiful.
Sweet Satisfying Companionship.
Decades ago, the biggest motivator for me to learn about the fear of the Lord was when I learned that friendship with God is reserved for those who fear of the Lord. And I long for that above all. To hear His voice clearly and be in constant lovely company with the Lord. Yes. That is what I want.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
The Amplified version flushes out the meaning of friendship with the Lord in this way. It is “The sweet satisfying companionship with the Lord.” And if that’s reserved for those who fear Him, then we’re going to want to learn more about the fear of the Lord!
The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.
We define the fear of the Lord [here], but the quick version is this… Fearing God is a deep reverential awe of who He is in all His glory. It’s not a flippancy about who He is. It’s a life of worship and respect for the Lord God Almighty. Fearing God means hating what is evil and loving what is good. It’s honoring Him and His ways deeply and with reverence.
Friends of God fear Him.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
Friends of God obey Him.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Friends of God hear His voice.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Friends of God love others on a whole different level.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Friends of God believe God for His word.
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
Friendship with God goes both ways.
As you read through all these verses, do you notice the underlying theme here… There is an intimacy reserved only for those who are in a deep abiding friendship with the Lord.
These are our part to uphold in the friendship too… believing God, trusting in Him, obeying Him, loving like He does, and fearing Him (worshipping Him alone with a deep reverential awe.)
But let me tell you. When we hold our end of the friendship, even when these things can be difficult and even painful sometimes like laying your life down for others… the blessings and benefits of fearing the Lord is beyond comprehension! Tomorrow, we’ll define the fear of the Lord since that’s the gateway to friendship with God. And then we’ll do a deep dive on the benefits of fearing God. And we’ll wrap up the series with a prayer for the fear of the Lord in your life.
Til next time… Toodle-loo, and Peace be with you.
If you want to walk in full forgiveness and the full power of the Holy Spirit, here’s a prayer to ask Jesus to wash you clean and lead you in a new life.
If you decided to give your life to Jesus today, please let us know so we can share in your new joy! And seek out someone in your area who loves Jesus and walks in humility who can help show you the way.
If you have any questions, you can drop in comments below. That’s what I’m here for!
