“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” (Psalms 25:14 ESV)
A friend and fellow minister/writer wrote about the importance of traveling life with friends and the great friend we have in our Lord, who is always with those who will look to Him. As I thought about friendship, I thought about my responsibility toward the Lord and toward His people.
There are a number of ways we can be a friend to our Lord Y’shuaJesus. Among them are these ways: Seek G-d’s truth and direction daily; Maintain a humble and submissive attitude; Remain always fully Committed; Give thanks in all circumstances; Be morally upright; and Seek G-d’s council.
Likewise, there are many ways to be a friend to others. Among them are to love: At all times (Proverbs 17:17); Without hypocrisy; In honor giving preference to one another, (Romans 12:9, 10). Additionally, we are friend to others as Paul tells us. We are to “owe no one anything except to love one another, for he how loves
another has fulfilled the law, (Romans 13:8). He also tells up that we are to “receive one who is weak in the faith, but not dispute over doubtful things, (Romans 14:1).
I see in “The Celtic Vow of Friendship,” essential ingredients for our journey as a
Messiah’s friend. These are from a poster my wife once had posted on our bedroom wall:
I honor your path
I drink from your well
I bring an unprotected heart to our meeting place
I hold no cherished outcome
I will not negotiate by withholding
I am not subject to disappointment
Let me address, today, the first, “I honor your path.” What does it mean to honor another’s path? The following illustrates one way.
“While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:10-15 ESV)
In this discussion, the people of Caesarea are disagreeing with Paul’s path—Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. Paul explains his desire to follow Y’shuaJesus to Jerusalem. Even if the people would prefer that Paul did not go, they consent, they honor Paul’s path, saying, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” I see this as a lovely display of friendship.
May our Lord grant us the wisdom to walk the path of friendship, and to understand the cost of friendship paid by our Lord in His path to Calvary.
Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
JonahzSong 