Gò0dNews for Everyone
Jesus Our Faithful Friend
P
by Jonathon Wright
roverbs 18:24, “A man who has friends must himself
As the New Year continues to roll in, why not take some
be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer
time to spend with our best friend? Pray for God’s wisdom.
than a brother” (NKJV).
Keep Him in your life and plans. Listen to what His Word
My first friend was Chad, but I made the mistake of
and the Holy Spirit have to say. Many times, I have prayed,
telling him some private things, and he spilled the beans to
and a thought popped into my mind. This has happened so
everyone. So, I decided that I needed a more dependable
many times that I have confidence in talking to Him about
friend. Casper, the friendly ghost, was his name. We did not
everything. He truly has been a friend that sticks closer than
have a long friendship because I grew up and realized imaginary ghosts were not good friends. He wasn’t very friendly and never said a word. I did all the talking. As a kid, I did not know any better. Of course, that was long before the Lord came into my life. Jesus has been more reliable than Chad when I tell Him private things. The next friend that comes to mind is Michael, who befriended me in my high school days. We went everywhere together. For a time, I spent more time at his house than at home. He reintroduced me to God and Christ. Of course, he grew up and moved away. He went off to the military after high school, and I lost track of him. The day he left, I caught myself crying. He was the first true friend I had. Even though I lost
a brother. He has also used others, and I am so thankful for
a great friend, the Lord would be there to help me through
the many other friends He has blessed me with.
some rough times growing up. I am thankful for the Lord sending me a wife who knew
This passage also reminds us that good friendships are reciprocal. God blesses us with friendships when we are
some of my deepest secrets and still chose to love me. My
kind and friendly to others. We also can further express our
wife could not help me with some of the personal problems
thanks to God by giving kindness and love to other people
I experienced. Oh, she was a rock, but God continued to
in the same way He loved us. See John 17 and think about
love me to wholeness. I went through seasons where I was
our Lord’s words in this chapter. Jesus proved His love for
not serving Him, but He called me back and continues to
us and calls us to be kind and befriend others. I can see Jesus
call me back. He loved me despite it all. When I was at my
smiling when we do.
See Isaiah 54:4. Absolute forgiveness and restoration of our relationship was a priceless gift.
48 // January 2022
About The Author
worst, He told me not to remember the shame of my youth. Jonathon Wright currently lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has been a member of the Church of God for about twenty years. He is a graduate of Lee University and Beacon University where he earned a BA and MA in Biblical Studies. He loves studying the Bible and has done so for over thirty years, but only now has God given him a desire and the opportunity to be a writer. He is currently beginning the process of writing a book on Genesis entitled, God’s Good Prophetic Plan: From Beginning to End.
