FRIENDS

FRIENDS

BY MICHAEL W. SMITH

Packing up the dreams God planted

In the fertile soil of you

I can't believe the hopes He's granted

Mean the chapter in you life is through

BRIDGE:

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seen you've gone

'Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

CHORUS:

And friends are friends forever

If the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never

'Cause the welcome will not end

Though it's hard to let you go

In the Father's hands we know

That a lifetime's not too long

To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given

Springing from the hope we know

We will pray the joy you'll live in

Is the strength that now you show

BRIDGE

CHORUS(2x)
Though it's hard to let you go

In the Father's hands we know

That a lifetime's not too long

To live as friends

I have always liked this song and it's message. True friends are hard to find and harder to keep. They are there in the tough times. One of my friends at this time is going through a tough patch of life at this time and is finding this out. So this topic has been on my mind. I am blessed with a few real good friends myself. So what are the qualities of a good friend and what does the bible say about the subject?

First lets talk about what I think are the qualities of a good and true friend. The most important thing is that they need to be thier for you in your hour need. They overlook your flaws and accept you as your are. They keep you in line and are honest and tell you when you are wrong, but will support you when change is needed.

The subject of friendship always reminds me of the Young Gun movies. The character Chavez talks about not abandoning the gang because he called them "pals". This is someone who sticks with you through thick or thin. They are in it for the long haul.

Now lets look at the biblical view. In Psalms it says But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. (Psalms 55:13 ESV). So a friend is someone you consider an equal, thus you don't look down on them. In Proverbs we read: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 ESV) and Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6 ESV). Thus a friend is someone who loves you at all times and will take any abuse you dish out to them. they won't be nice to you, just to betray you later when you are of no use to them. These are just some of the things the bible says about friendship.

Their is a lot more I could write on this subject. It all comes down to that a friend is someone who you can trust, that doesn't judge you and loves who loves you for who you are. Fourtantly we have someone like that, or at least should, in our lives. That is our Lord Jesus. He is my best friend is He yours. He will never let you down. Granted I have a couple of friends, one in particular, that I would say have my back and I can count on. But they are human and will let you down. Only God won't do that. He loves us with all or worts and clitches. Jesus laid down His life for us so we could have life. Isn't that awsome to know you have someone like that in your corner. My only goal in life is to have a closer relationship with Him and to have Him use me for His work. As James wrote about Abraham: ... and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God. (James 2:23 ESV) I want, to be considered a friend of God.

That is all for now on this subject. I hope I didn't bore you.

'Till next time.- THE GREAT ONE