There is a wonderful song entitled, “There has never been a friend like Jesus”.

There has never been a friend like Jesus,
I have never found a friend so true;
When I weaken and my steps grow wayward,
Then He comes to me with strength anew.

It is a blessing to have friends in this life. Someone said, “A true friend is coming in when others are going out”. Here are some other quotes.

He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.
Abraham Kuyper

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.
Ed Cunningham

A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.
Elbert Hubbard

Our church family is a wonderful fellowship and friendship.

Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

A friend is for times of adversity, not to cause adversity!

BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A FRIEND LIKE JESUS!

God will not think less of you if you lose all your material possessions. Proverbs 19:4 states, “ Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.” But nothing will separate us from the love of God.

God will not despise you when you are depressed or despondent, when you are discouraged or in time of great need. But “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble…”.

We have all had our experiences with false friends. Maybe even we have been a false friend. Job said, “My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have for gotten me”. In another text he said, “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend;…”. II Samuel 13:3, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab….and Jonadab was a very subtil man.” Jonadab’s advice and influence on Amnon caused his destruction. With friends like that, who needs enemies? David said, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” There are a lot of sad stories, but there are many wonderful stories of friendship also. This is a good time to reflect on the blessing of a good friend.

In Matthew 11, Jesus is called “a friend of sinners”. He is given that title because of Romans 5:8 which states, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Jesus is my Friend and I am His. “A Friend loveth at all times.” What a cherished relationship.

Jesus said in John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends;…”

Our salvation has brought us into an amazing relationship with God. Christianity is a revelation, a knowledge, a communion with God. He is our Friend.

Thank God for your friends. Thank God for being your Friend.