God's Friend Series

In his early twenties, he met a young woman at the church, fell in love with her, and they decided to be married. Back then, during World War II, housing in the large cities was very difficult to get. The mother, knowing they wanted to be married, said, “We have a two-story house. I can make an apartment for myself in the second story. You and your bride can live in the first story. The only thing I ask is that we get a chance to spend some time together because I'm going to miss the reading and the music.”

Her son said, “Mother, you can be sure of that. It's too important to me.”

The couple married. And for a while, life continued with the son stopping by a couple of times a week to spend some time with his mother. He was busy, and eventually days and actually weeks went by with only a call from downstairs or a brief glimpse. The relationship was not what it had been.

On the mother's birthday, the young man bought his mother a lovely dress, brought it to her, and said, “Happy birthday, Mother.”

She opened the package and looked at the dress. “Oh, Son, thank you. I appreciate so much what you've done.”

He said, “Mother, you don't like it.”

She said, “Oh, yes, I do. It's my color. Thank you.”

He said, “Mother, I have the sales slip. They tell me I can take it back.”

She said, “No, it is a lovely dress.”

He said, “Mother, you don't fool me. We've been together too long. What's wrong?”

The woman turned and opened her closet. She said, “Son, I have enough dresses there to last me for the rest of my life. I guess all I want to say is that I don't want your dress. I want you.” (Haddon Robinson, “Don't Just Do Something, Sit There,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 138; www.PreachingToday.com)

I think that’s what God says to each one of us: I don’t want your stuff; I want you!” I don’t want your busy activity. I don’t want your money. I don’t want your gifts as much as I want YOU! God delights in us. He enjoys our presence and wants to spend time with us. But if we’re too busy to spend time with Him, then there is no way we can enjoy the delight of His company.

If you want intimate fellowship with your incredible Lord, then like Abraham you must welcome the strangers in our midst; you must stand near Him; and finally, you must…

BELIEVE HIM.

Take him at his word and trust what he says. Depend on him to do the impossible even in your situation.

Abraham is in the Lord’s presence, and he doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to get a clue.

Genesis 18:9-12 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” (ESV)