God Speaking

“A friend loves at all times…”

(Proverbs 17: 17)

A friend repeated a sweet story that I have heard many times, but as it often happens, the story was very applicable for me to hear during a difficult week I was struggling through, in which I needed a friend to spend time with me, and when a friend appeared with listening ears, it made me think again how much we need each other and how important it is to be aware when someone we know is hurting or frightened, can be comforted just by us being with them

Here is the story. 

A little boy was being tucked into bed during quite a big storm. He was reluctant to let his mother leave and she assured him that Jesus loved him and would look after him. The little boy replied with a wail;

“I want somebody with skin on!”

We may smile at this story, but it has a great essence of truth in it.  Jesus repeatedly tells us to love one another and even though our friends know who Jesus is, having someone with skin on who can bring the warmth of his love with him is often just what they need.

God himself demonstrated this so beautifully when he made himself known to Moses and the meeting was described so clearly as a friend speaking face to face with a friend;

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend…” (Exodus 33: 11)

Proverbs has several verses about the importance of true friends and emphasises the joy of close friendship. When we follow Jesus and give our lives over to him, we become part of the family of God and our friendship for others becomes a deep and close relationship;

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18: 24)

Jesus himself is the perfect example of being a friend, and lovingly tells his disciples he calls them his friends, and explains he has demonstrated what true friendship is by exhibiting all that entails by showing what he has learnt from the Father;

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15: 15)

Not only does Jesus call us his friends he reminds us to stay close to him and remain in his love so that his joy will fill us and make us complete so when any frightened or troubled person needs comfort we can become that somebody with skin on, filled with his joy and love

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15: 11 – 12)