April 18, 2019 -- Proverbs 18:24 -- Jesus the Faithful Friend
/A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 English Standard Version
One of the joys of being a minister is how often my family and I move. When we move to a new area and lead a new church there are many people to meet and wonderful things to experience. One of the challenges of being a minister is how often my family and I move. We leave behind friends that we have made who had become quite dear to us. And it is impossible to maintain so many friendships. Inevitably many friendship remain dear to memory.
Sometimes, wistfully, I have commented to friends who have lived in the same area all their lives, what a treasure it must be to have friends for a whole life-time. People who know you from youth to adulthood, who know you best and worst and stay close.
Perhaps this is why the text this morning is so precious to me, Jesus is that Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. No matter where I live, Jesus is there. No matter what I have done or will do, He has shed His blood and covered my sins. Jesus is the Friend Who leads me to the Father. The Father receives me as His son because of the accomplished work of Jesus. The Father and the Son pour out the Holy Spirit so that the Word becomes rich and beautiful to me and the Spirit leads me in all Truth.
That is the blessed story of Easter. Jesus the Perfect One, accepted as our substitute, is punished in the place of sinners. All who believe in Him have their sins punished on the Person of Jesus at the cross. Those who believe in Him receive from Jesus His righteousness. All who believe in Jesus rise with Him to newness of life. What a Friend we have in Jesus!
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
Words by Joseph M. Scriven
You might find this version inspirational today
