The King's Friend
Ha! Cool. I have kind of a hard time concentrating on some parts of the Bible, especially genealogies. Parts of I Chronicles are almost as "boring" as that, listing people and their various assignments in David's kingdom. It's somewhat interesting to think of all the assignments and their significance, but it's not easily attainable from a fairly relaxed read. However, something blasted off the page near the end of Saturday's reading (I just read it, because I was a day behind). After a huge list of groups of thousands of people and more significant leaders and their assignments, look at what is listed at the end of I Chronicles chapter 27:
Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.
How interesting! It is definitely the "assignment" that stands out from the rest or doesn't belong in a group of fairly official titles. It is fascinating that such a thing is listed here. How cool would it be to be listed as "the king's friend"? Surely King David had others who could be counted as friends, but this man was singled out. Very curious and heartwarming. It is quite probable that this word was used to signify some sort of official position, like "this man is a friend (loyal) to the crown". Still, I can't help but notice the intriguing read.
In like manner, I hope Jesus and/or God count me among His friends. I know I wouldn't be a very good candidate for such a title (after all, what could such a High God - the Only One who created all things and is so far above it all - gain out of such a "friendship"), but I know I call Him my Friend. He is also my King, my Lord and my God. Yet I couldn't ask for a better friend. He has stuck with me through thick and thin.
In fact, God is the only One whom I cannot live without. He's the One I wish to see when I die, whose name I want to be on my lips, and whose hand I wish to hold. In some ways, my desire for Him rival what one would say of a "Lover"... though not with the weird connotations that the world thinks of with such a word. There is no greater Friend than Him. I need Him to complete me.
I wish to be a friend TO God also, even if He needs me not! I am humbled that, even if "need" doesn't describe his connection to me, "want" or "desire" seems to. That He would send His own Son to die for me is pretty ridiculous. No one does that! And God Most High!? Astounding. He must hold me with some value - measureless if it cost His SON!?!?!? - for whatever reason that makes no sense at all to me. He loves me SO much.
Don't think you are off the hook! He thinks and does that same thing for you too! Are you the King's friend? He died to make it possible. He doesn't ask much of you in return. He's the Friend of friends, and I highly recommend getting to know Him.
and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" - and he was called a friend of God.
James 2:23 ESV
Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
2 Chronicles 20:7 ESV
But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;Isaiah 41:8 ESV
Friend envy. I want Abraham's Friend to call me "friend" too! I guess "son" is good enough... but somehow "friend" adds something special. Lucky Abraham! :)