[300]. A Poem Message - There Is One Who Sticks Closer Than A Brother

[300]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THERE IS ONE WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

The disciples walked with Jesus for more than three years and they knew His faithfulness over all that time. The Lord will never desert one of His own. In the storm, He is in the boat. In the death of a very close one, he stands beside you. In a family tragedy, he sits there with you. In your own death, He is there to receive you.

The title of the poem is about the One (Jesus) who is closer than a brother. Brothers in a family may disagree and even argue and fight. That is why the expression is not “There is One like a brother,” but rather, “There is One who is closer THAN a brother.” Our Lord Jesus Christ sticks so close to us, closer than a brother can.

{{Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a FRIEND who STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.”}}

The word “friend” in that proverbs verse is meaning an earthly friend, but it is a much stronger word than just “friend”. It is the word that is used here for friend – {{James 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and HE WAS CALLED THE FRIEND OF GOD.}}

The poem looks generally at the help from the Lord, that which you’d expect from Jesus who never deserts us not forsakes us. Commentator McLaren gives summary points for true friends:-

I. First, friends trust and love one another.

II. Friends have frank, familiar intercourse with one another.

III. Friends delight to meet each other’s wishes.

IV. Friends give gifts to each other.

V. Lastly, and but a word. Friends stand up for each other.

There are two references linking Abraham and friend in the Old Testament.

{{2 Chronicles 20:7 “Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, AND GIVE IT TO THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM YOUR FRIEND FOREVER?”}}

{{Isaiah 41:8 “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, DESCENDANT OF ABRAHAM MY FRIEND”}}

The Chronicles verse is another inspirational proof that the whole land of Israel belongs to the Jews FOREVER! AND it is not just their current land but the land from the Nile River to the Euphrates River as it was promised to Abraham. (Genesis 15:18)

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THERE IS ONE WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

Sweet hope that transcends all our fears,

When hurt or threat or danger nears;

This hope imparted by the Lord,

Is sent with promise from His word.

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We know not what a day will bring,

Or if our souls might fret or sing;

God’s hope does rise above all this -

The doorway opened to His bliss.

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Cast down, my soul, you find yourself!

Then realise this:- you’re not bereft.

Anchor then to God’s resources.

Blessings true, His word endorses.

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Mercy, grace and love are given

Freely from the bank of heaven.

Know joy and calm through darkest storm;

Comfort in Christ for those who mourn.

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1 September, 1997 R E Ferguson 8-8-8-8 AABB