You are my friend if…
John 15:14 (Jesus says):
You are my friends if you do what I command. NIV
How would you react if you had a friend come up to you and say “You are my friend if you do what I say!”? I ran this question passed my 11 year old son a couple of weeks ago to see what he thought. He thought it would be a bit of a ‘weird friendship’ to have someone wanting you to do everything they say. A friendship that would be a bit ‘one sided’ or ‘dominant’ or ‘unbalanced’.
Perhaps it would depend on who that friend was. I mean, how wise they were. How much they loved you and wanted the best for you. I would have to agree though, it is hard to imagine a ‘natural’ friend that would be so wise and loving and unselfish.
But what about if you were suddenly taken with blindness and you had to have someone walk with you and guide you and help you through the obstacles of life? They would tell you, “Go left”! “Go right”! “Walk faster”! “Run”! “Slow down”! “Watch out”! “Lift you feet higher”! etc, etc… and you would have to trust them and obey their commands.
I believe faith in our Heavenly Father works in a similar fashion. You see, there is One who is infinitely wise and One who deeply loves us and One who genuinely wants the best for us. He created us!
GOD FULLY QUALIFIES TO TELL US WHAT TO DO!
God wants to help us and guide us in all areas of our lives! He wants to walk with us and share with us through our good times and our difficult times. He loves us and wants to protect us (like the hen with her chicks – see the last blog) and He knows what is best for us. He has a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives. OUR DESTINY IS IN HIM and HIS PLAN IS IN US if only we will trust and obey Him!
In Ephesians 1:11 it says “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Eph 1:11) NIV
GOD DESERVES OUR COMPLETE TRUST AND OBEDIENCE IN HIM!
Psalms 23:1-4 says:
23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want,
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6 says:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. NIV
I have been reminded of an old Hymn that says “Trust and obey, for there is no other way”…
Trust and Obey
Text: John H. Sammis, 1846-1919
Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1850-1919
1. When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
3. But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
4. Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Blessings
Steve
Enlightened Hope 
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