He is a friend of mine

        Today at church we listened to a song called “Whom Shall I Fear.”

Here’s part of the song so you know what I’m referring to:

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

 Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

 Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

So what’s the big deal? Why this song? Well today when I was singing it, the line that always struck me was, “The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine”…

This idea that I am able to call God, the Almighty One, the Creator of everything that I know, a friend of mine completely blew my mind.  Compared to Him I am nothing, yet I am able to call Him a friend. When I think of a friend I think of a close bond, someone who understands where I’m coming from, a person who you can count on. This image that comes to mind when I think of a friend is someone with a huge smile putting their arm around me. But now to think that God considers me that person to Him is absolutely crazy. But it just makes sense because God is all of those things: reliable, trustworthy, and constant.

But as great as the thought of Him being my friend is, I have to remind myself how and why this is possible. This friendship came at a price, the price of Jesus’ blood. This friendship cost a life and not just any life, but the life of His Son. Why would God do that? Why would he allow His son to die just so He could be friends with me? Because to Him, the idea of not having a relationship wasn’t an option.

After reflecting on the lyrics of that song and everything that it cost, God’s love for us becomes so real. Despite who we are, God wants to be a part of our lives. He doesn’t desire to know us distantly, but personally and completely. Our God who is infinitely greater meets sinners where they’re at so that we can call Him not only our Lord, but our friend.