Can We Be Friends?
Today’s Verse:
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. ~Exodus 18:14
Many years ago, Dale Carnegie wrote a bestselling book entitled How to Win Friends and Influence People. It is a very helpful book on making and keeping friends. However, the best book on the subject of friendship is the Bible. The Bible contains many valuable principles and practices on this subject. Our devotion this morning is about a special friendship. It encourages us about how Abraham was called the friend of God. How is it that Abraham had the distinction of being called the friend of God?
He was the friend of God because of his faith.
We are told that he believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness. He came to the realization that faith alone in God as his Savior could deliver him from his sins. Faith is the starting point in a relationship with God. Faith is the only means whereby we can attain righteousness with God. Two simple words sum up faith: he believed!
He was the friend of God because he followed.
“By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed: and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Heb. 11:8 Abraham left no doubts that he was obedient to God. The exercise of faith is never without obedience. Obedience shows the simplicity and submission in our faith.
He was the friend of God because he had a focus.
We are told that “[Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” We are told that “these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them”. His focus was on the path God made for him. He was able to look ahead to the anticipation of a heavenly city where he would dwell forever.
He was the friend of God because he endured the fire.
The greatest trial of his life was when God asked him to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God. Abraham experienced the pain and hurt of what it would mean to give his son’s life as an atonement for sin. He did not question God. He did not argue with God. What sustained him? We are told that he was “accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him a figure.”
He was the friend of God because of how he finished.
“These all died in faith.” He died IN faith! His faith remained strong throughout his pilgrimage. His faith was sustainable in spite of long delays. He was strong in faith, not doubting the promises! His faith did not diminish: he died in faith!
No wonder Abraham is called the friend of God! His biography speaks to us about a man who was intimate with God, interceded with God, and intensified for God. Here we have a pattern for our walk with God. Draw nearer to God and be inspired by the faith of Abraham!
Have an intimate God morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Matthew 18-19