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Show oY} 1Z.d-, L.o \, """f GOD'S FRIEND CA IV li James 2: 23 "I went out to find But could not find I went out to be a friend, one a there. friend, everywhere!" Following Abel, Enoch, and Noah, And friends were Abraham is listed in the Hall of Faithful fame chapter of Hebrews 11. There is much said about Abraham and more as than about all the others elders who "obtained good report" and are named together in this chapter. One phrase sums up his life in the text, partially a quote from Genesis 15: 6, is penned by James in chapter 2 verse 23: "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and a 1 imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called "the Friend of God." Note that last phrase, it was "And he was called "The Friend of God." magnificent designation for a human being to be singled out as "The Friend of God." Nobody else in all The What a Bible is so called "The Friend of God." possibly could it mean? First, it might be a reference to What Abraham's FAITH in God. Hebrews 11: 1 tells us "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence not Verse 6 reminds us, "Without it is impossible to please him: for seen. faith, of things " he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Abraham is 2 called the Father of the faithful. For his faith was true and tested and tried and timid and tenacious and trusted God to leave a triumphant. He land that he knew land he didn't know, to have a son when he and his wife were past the child for a bearing age, inheritance posterity. to provide him even an if he sacrificed his Abraham believed God and trusted him more than a brother. He was indeed "The Friend of God." More than that, Abraham recognized and admitted his sees own FAULTS. God and knows the real Abraham. God knew Abraham was afraid of famine and anything to avoid being left to perish (Genesis 12: 1 0-20) Abraham was afraid of danger and would scheme would do .. 3 buy his way out in order to keep from being killed. (Genesis 20). Abraham faults included fear for family and and he would do whatever he had to save (Genesis 16: 1-16; 1 7: 1-27; 21: 18) He tried to help God out by fathering a them. children with admit our chance to a handmaiden. When we shortcomings, we have a be forgiven, to be restored, to be redeemed unto God. We can and be Him in every way when we confess sins and draw near to God. That near our makes Abraham indeed "The Friend of - God. j._PV4/ G-C?I)(Fr5 <'t jl-tLl -pa\A(I(, VV' .. Third, Abraham was called "The Friend of God" because he was a picture of our FUTURE in covenant with God. In spite of the conflicts, Abraham spent 4 enjoyed the blessings of covenant relationship with the Lord. time and r God put His arms around him and redeemed Abraham :ff;Im the jaws of only begotten Son to reconcile us unto Himself and to give us a right to be heir to the Kingdom of death. God sent His etemallife. Like us, Abraham was weak but because he believed, God blessed him. He was "What Friend have in Jesus, All to bear! we griefs What a privilege to God in Prayer! our to a THE FRIEND OF GOD. sins and o what peace needless pain we All be we often bear, everything forfeit, 0 what do not carry to God in Prayer. cause we everything carry 5 Have we trouble trials and anywhere! We should never temptations? discouraged, take be to the Lord in prayer. Can all we find a friend our sorrows Jesus knows Is there it faithful who will so share? our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Ar we weak and cumbered with Precious a heavy laden, load of care? Savior, still ittq(he Lord in prayer. Do thy friends our despise, refuge, take forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms, He' 11 take and shield thee, Thou wilt find (Hymn a solace there." 517 in Favorite 6 Hymns of Praise) |
