After listening to a message by Mr. Alan Davidson last night, I thought I would share a few of his thoughts on Abraham, the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8).
– Marks of a true friend:
- closeness (sharing secrets)
- comes alongside in need
- dependable
- knowledge of each other
- does what is best for the other
– “Waiting time is not wasted time” …this applies to not only waiting for God’s call, but also waiting for God’s choice of a husband or wife.
– Abraham was a man of faith:
- He went out, not knowing WHERE
- He was promised a seed, not knowing HOW
- He offered his son, not knowing WHY
– God said he would possess much, and he spent the rest of his life giving things up. He only owned the plot of land where he buried Sarah when he died. Friendship is costly; but at the same time, he looked for a city which “hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”. His inheritance was far greater than what could be found on earth.
– Down here we have the tears without the reason; in glory we will have the reason without the tears.
– Christ said, “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” when upon the cross. Pilate said, “Why, what evil hath He done?” to a crowd of people clammering for His crucifixion. (Yet in the end, Pilate choose rather to be seen as the friend of Caesar than the friend of Christ.) There was no reason for Calvary, in relation to what Christ had done; but it was because of what WE had done (or would do) that He was there. It had to be Him. He alone could take away our sin.
– Christ told His disciples, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15). We have been brought into a place of nearness to Him. As such, it is our responsibility to do His will (John 15:14).
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John was the friend of the bridegroom (John 3:29), but those who are Christ’s are nearer than he (Matthew 11:11). We are sons of God, are heirs with Christ, and are His bride (Ephesians 5:25,30-32; 1Cor. 6:16-17; Rom. 7:4; Rev. 21:9). What a friend He is to us!