In Proverbs 3:32, we read, He offers His friendship to the godly. In the first part of that verse we read, Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but He offers his friendship to the godly.
How do we develop a strong friendship with God?
1. We must be honest with God.
We must be honest with God about our faults and limitations. We are not perfect, and He knows that, but He insists on total honesty. In Matthew 11:19, Jesus said, “The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners.”
As you go through the Bible, you will note that the friends of God were honest about their feelings. Often, they complained, they were second-guessing God, accusing and arguing with their Creator. He didn’t seem to mind their frankness. It seems He encouraged it.
One example of this frankness with God is found in Exodus 33:12-17. One day, Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me who you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” 14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” 15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” 17 The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
This is where God asks Moses to lead his people, and Moses basically says, “I won’t unless You let me in on Your plans and who will go with me.” I believe God knows how we feel about Him, and He can handle it. He wants that kind of honesty. Perhaps we have become bitter towards God for things He has allowed into our lives. Rick Warren says, “Bitterness is the greatest barrier to friendship with God.” In Psalm 142: 2-3, David, who was hiding in a cave, wrote — I pour out my complaints before Him, and tell Him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn.
2. To develop a deep friendship with God, we must choose to obey Him in faith.
In John 15:14, Jesus said, You are my friends if you do what I command. We must obey God, not out of duty or fear or compulsion, BUT BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM, and trust that He knows what is best for us. We want to follow Him because we are grateful for all He has done for us. The closer we follow and obey Him, the deeper our friendship with Him grows.
In John 15:9-11, Jesus said, I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love just as I obey My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow. His relationship with His Father is the model for our friendship with Him.
3. I must choose to value what God values.
Frequently, we are challenged to do great things for God. That’s great, BUT I think God is more pleased when each of us does small things for Him, out of loving obedience. In 1 Samuel 15:22, we read, “But Samuel replied, ‘What is more pleasing to the LORD; your burnt offerings and sacrifices, or your obedience to His voice?”
Jesus probably didn’t need to be baptized by John the Baptist, and at that event, God spoke from heaven and said, This is My beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with Him.
God values people. He wants everyone to be redeemed, even though many will refuse to accept Jesus. Someone once said, “You have never looked into the face of any person God does not love.” We read in John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone might be saved by trusting in Him.
He wants us to have that same passionate love for others that He has for us.
4. I must desire friendship with God more than anything else.
In Psalm 24:7, David wrote, Open up ancient gates. Open up ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. In Psalm 63:1-3, he wrote, O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!
Listen to what Jacob said when he wrestled with the angel of the LORD – “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Do you hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with our God who loves us? Do you have a determination that you will not let go of God until He blesses you? The good news is, He will keep hanging on to you. In Philippians 3:10, Paul wrote, I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in His death.
Here is a significant truth – each of us is as close to God as we choose to be. He hasn’t moved. Have you or I? In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Don’t pull back — rather, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
Enjoying His friendship,
Pastor Leonard
