DEVOTION / What a friend!

Likely you have heard sermons talk about the Bible and its different terms for the word love. Did you know that in the Chinese language there are over a dozen different words for friend?

 Different kinds of friends?

Maybe you haven’t thought much about the distinctions, but if you’re learning the language, it might be a challenge. Friend in Chinese is 朋友 (péngyou). It's the word for any friend, male or female, one person or many. Beyond that one general term is a rich set of choices for different kinds of friends: best friends, social-media friends, close girlfriends, buddies, long-time friends, classmates, coworkers, business partners, and more. A common Chinese greeting – attributed to Confucius – is “Isn’t it a joy when a friend comes from afar?”

 Your friend from afar…

That greeting makes me think of our Savior Jesus! Talk about a friend coming from afar! Jesus came from heaven above to befriend us and redeem the whole world. To lost sinners like us, he is the definition and epitome of the word friend. He is loyal and understanding. He is forgiving. He is selfless. He is a caring companion willing to sacrifice all for his friends.

Jesus – our perfect Friend!

Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that a friend loves at times; Proverbs 18:24 talks of a friend who is closer than a brother. That friend, of course, is Jesus.  “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is a famous hymn written by Joseph Scriven. Its opening line calls Jesus a friend who bears all our sins and griefs. The hymn reminds us of what a privilege believers have to carry everything to God in prayer. Our Savior is described as a faithful friend who knows our every weakness, and a refuge when other “friends” despise or forsake us.

The hymn's words echo Philippians 4:6: not to be anxious about anything, and by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God—just as 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to cast all our cares on him.

What an honor to be called a friend of God! What an honor that our Friend Jesus came from afar to visit us and bring the hope and healing only he can provide. Like Abraham of old, may we believe God so that we, too, can be called God’s friend.

Prayer: Dear friend, in Your powerful name, make it so!

by Dave Payne