A True Friend Loves At All Times Part-1 Series

Abraham was one of the great men mentioned in the Bible. His faith is cited for our example (Jas. 2, Heb. 11). Abraham is called a "friend of God" three times; look at following scriptures, God looks at Abraham and said “You are my friend forever”

“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?”(II Chronicles 20:7NASB)

“ But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend.” (Isaiah 41:8NIV)

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.” (James 2:23NIV)

In Genesis 18:17 Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? God remain very open and honest with Abraham when God remarkably begins to think about destroying Sodom in a way that invites Abraham "in" to God's inmost thoughts. God says in the form of a rhetorical question, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” The obvious answer is: "No. I will not hide from Abraham. We are friends." Similarly, Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper, "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" God's gracious initiative indeed welcomed Abraham not as a "Yes man" but as a faithful and honest probing friend. The result is one of the most breathtaking examples of covenant friendship between Abraham and God.

This divine yearning is more than evident throughout the scriptures. Even before the flood in the darkest of times God found a friend in a man named Enoch of whom it is written, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24) which shows reconciliation to God, for two cannot walk together except they be agreed, Am 3:3. It includes all the parts of a godly, righteous, and sober life. To walk with God, is to set God always before us, to act as always under his eye. It is constantly to care, in all things to please God, and in nothing to offend him. It is to be followers of him as dear children. The Holy Spirit, instead of saying, Enoch lived, says, Enoch walked with God. This was his constant care and work; while others lived to themselves and the world, he lived to God. It was the joy of his life. Enoch was removed to a better world. As he did not live like the rest of mankind, so he did not leave the world by death as they did. He was not found, because God had translated him, (Heb 11:5) It is this longing for friendship, within the heart of God and His longing to catch a people away unto himself, that I want to briefly share with you the beauty of covenant friendship with God.

A friendship is a close relationship between two people who share similar interests and values. We are social beings, and without others to share our lives, we would feel lonely. Like any other relationship, friendship needs to be nurtured or it will die. The love experienced between parents and children, between brothers and sisters, between a husband and wife, the love of families - these can be amongst the most beautiful of relationships when they are well-nourished and cultivated on a regular basis. That's not to say that they have to be perfect. Even when mistakes are made, feelings hurt and emotional wounds inflicted - as happens in any relationship - those relationships remain beautiful so long as there is agape love, honesty, forgiveness and healing. That is divine love at work in the world.