Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 31:9-13
Ps 31:9-13
9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends--those who see me on the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. 13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.
2 Tim 4:16-18
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
At least three times in the second letter to Timothy Paul mentions that he has been deserted by those who should have stood by him. He also names one or two who stood with him in his trials. This is because it is very discouraging to think someone will be loyal and faithful to you, only to find out they leave you when you think you need them the most. It hurts to be betrayed by our friends.
Solomon says there is a friend who loves at all times and who will stick closer than a brother. This is our modern-day BFF. We know we can depend on them no matter what we face or who else leaves us. The wonderful thing is that when we belong to Christ, we have this friend in him. Regardless of who turns against us or who betrays us, Jesus will be with us and will be our best friend forever.
He is our friend in whom we can confide when we are perplexed and despondent about life. He wants us to share our greatest joys with him and rejoices with us in them. He also wants to hear our problems, our pains and our doubts. Good or bad, we can share our thoughts and feelings with Jesus, our faithful friend.
Lord God, what a friend I have in Jesus your Son. Thank you for giving me such a friend who loves me and wants only what is best for me. But he is much more than just my friend, he is also my Savior and my Lord and I praise you for your wisdom and your love shown to me in giving him to die for my sin. Thank you for both my physical family and your spiritual family. Help me be a loyal friend to any who need a friend today. Use me to lift up someone and to bring cheer into their life as we rejoice together in Jesus. It is in his holy name I pray.
Robert
