God's Friend - August 8

August 8

James 2:20-23

"20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend."

One of my favorite songs is "I Am A Friend of God's." It is a great affirmation of the fact that God does call us friends - that we can have that kind of relationship with Him that will define us and shape us. The God of the universe is our friend.

In today's passage we learn that Abraham was called God's friend. Why? Because Abraham was a man who put his faith on the line. He offered his best to God - his only son- trusting in God to do what was right and to keep His promises. God honored Abraham's total surrender of faith in Him by calling Abraham His friend.

That kind of faith is what it takes to be God's friend. It is the kind of trust that says "Okay, God - I will trust in you no matter what I see or experience that may cause me to think otherwise. I will surrender my all to You because You are faithful."

This is the kind of faith I desire. To move ahead despite what I see and live solely by faith. I want that - I want to be God's friend and to trust Him in all things. I want Him to call me friend.