Devotion / Friends—never canceled, never deleted
In our social media age, how easy it is to cut off your friends! With the click of a button you can delete any number of your Facebook friends. Maybe that doesn't seem to be a big deal to some, but being deleted or canceled can be brutal.
Canceled
Realistically, people have been cutting off others since the beginning. Cain certainly canceled his own brother Abel. Maybe in today's world it's easier than ever before… with a simple stroke of your finger.
Most of us know how crushing and awful it feels to be deleted. But the good news is that as Christians, we have a dear Friend who absolutely will never cancel or delete us no matter what.
How sweet the words of Hebrews 13:5 sound to those of us who know the heartbreak of being abandoned, left behind, and cut off. Jesus promises everyone who belongs to him that never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:8 goes on to assure us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What comfort we find there. Jesus has never broken a promise. In our chaotic world where everything seems to always be changing, these words are an anchor in the wild twists and turns our lives often take.
We are God’s friends
It's amazing that we can be called friends of God's own son. Rejoice in these assurances from his Word:
· In John 15:13, Jesus proves his love for us in that he was willing to lay down his life for his friends.
· John 15:15 asserts, Now you are my friends.
· Romans 5:11 states our Lord Jesus Christ has reconciled us, made us friends of God.
We all know the loneliness and pain of being cut off or canceled. Today, rejoice in a Savior who loves you like no one else can. Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you . . . I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Prayer
Dear Savior, never changing and always loving your friends, thank you for your sure promise that we are friends of God. Touch our lips and lives to boldly share this good news to others around the world who need to hear of you.
By Dave Payne
Jesus wants me and he wants you to be with him forever. At 316NOW, we have the joyous calling to share this good news with our Chinese friends. The Holy Spirit has touched our hearts so that through his work many across the world will become friends of God.