Introduction. On the first day of school, a job, or at a new congregation, whenever we are meeting people for the first time, we begin as complete strangers. They know nothing about us and we know nothing about them. Over time, some strangers remain strangers. Others are only acquaintances to whom we say “hello” and ask about their health. A few become friends and even close friends. The difference is simple. It begins when we talk to them and share some things about ourselves. If they do the same, then the process to close friendships has begun. It begins tentatively and cautiously, but grows if we listen carefully to them and respond to their problems with sympathy. If we listen to their instructions, give and take advice, the barriers will slowly come down and we will feel safe to freely communicate our deepest hopes or fears to them. This is the basis of true friendship.
God encouraged us to make friends and close ties with those we know in this life. “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Eccl. 4:9-12)
God encouraged us to make friends and close ties with those we know in this life. “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Eccl. 4:9-12)
The time, risk, and effort it takes to change a stranger into a friend brings great rewards. To have someone we can trust to always be on our side is a great blessing in times of adversity. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Pr. 17:17; 18:24). Possessions and achievements can’t compare with the benefits of a good friend, trusted co-worker, faithful and loving spouse, or fellow Christian brother or sister.
Yet towering far above these things is our relationship with God. The time and effort it takes to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8) brings far great blessings than any human friendship. It should come as no surprise that it takes the same steps to make friends with God as with fellow humans. Abraham was “called the friend of God, because he trusted God, listened carefully to all God said, and always did what was in God’s best interests (James 2:24). He loved and honored God by the manner in which he listened and that opened the door both to a strong faith and a close friendship. Most people want God’s friendship and to receive blessings from Him, but only true children of Abraham want to be God’s friend and sacrifice of themselves as Jesus did to help Him.
God lamented the broken relationships He had seen through the years with His people. They wanted His blessings, but refused to be His friend by caring enough about Him to listen carefully to His word. “But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. 13 Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies,” (Ps. 81:11-14).
Comparing Abraham, who became God’s friend through submission, with Cain, who “went out from the presence of the Lord” rather than submit to His commands (Gen. 4:1-16) makes this obvious. Cain refused to listen to God or to show Him the reverence and submission that was necessary to take God’s own needs into consideration. Cain was a “fair-weather” friend who did not love at all times, but only when God would give him what he wanted. When Cain realized that a friendship with God was going to cost him his own desires, he chose to become a stranger. The problem was simple. Cain was selfish, only concerned with his own needs. Multitudes today are content to have no relationship with God due to their own selfish needs and desires. If we seek to be His true children and His close friends, we must guard ourselves against the peril of selfishness.
All true friends of God put God’s needs above their own. They treasure His word, trust Him and at all costs submit to Him. Many passages in the NT (Mt. 7:21-23; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Jn 9) as well as many examples in the OT (Cain, Nadab & Abihu, the children of Israel, Saul, Uzziah, etc.) reveal the tragedy that occurs when people refuse to develop the ability to properly listen to God.
There can be no misunderstanding here! Our relationship with God and with our fellow man are both based upon our ability to master good communication skills. First and foremost, this means that we have to learn how to listen. A great deal of the Bible is dedicated to teaching God’s people proper skills about how to listen to God, show full respect and reverence for His word, and interpret Scripture as God wants. Jesus said it best. First, to be His true disciples we must listen carefully and abide in His word, showing full trust and submission. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn. 8:31-32). Second, Jesus’ friendship to us was sealed when he gave His life for His friends. But we are only His friends when we too manifest our own desire to be His true friend and never a “fair weather” friend. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (Jn. 15:13-14).
But God has revealed the importance of prayer to seal our friendship. After obedient listening, He wants us to open up to Him, learning to share our needs and feelings with Him. Can we sing with melody and feeling: “My God and I will go for aye together, We’ll walk and talk as good friends should and do; this earth will pass, and with it common trifles, But God and I will go unendingly.” (“My God and I” - #93 from “Hymns for Worship”).
God has expressed this need in His commands to us. Actually, learning how to share with Him in prayer is a vital part of listening to Him. He asked us to pray without ceasing, and to carefully watch and monitor our lives to be certain we are maintaining that communication. Too many times God has seen that if communication with Him fades, even a little, we can lose it altogether. “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Rom. 1:21). Thus our spiritual growth and maturity are based on how well we have learned to listen and trust (Rom. 10:17), and how well we have learned to share our needs, gratitude and praise in prayer.
Not only has God revealed that it is in our best interests to learn to “pray without ceasing”, but He has also told us of the pleasure it gives Him when we pray and the blessings it will bring to our relationship with Him. Not only is “the prayer of the upright is His delight” (Pr. 15:8), but it was said of Cornelius because he “prayed to God always” that “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.” (Acts 10:2-4). Could God say that about us? We must never forget, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” (Ps. 145:18-19).
Conclusion. God wants to be everyone’s friend. He loves all equally and gave His Son in order that none would perish. He is waiting for us to “draw near to Him” so “He can draw near to us.” God is as close to us as we will allow Him to come. When we listen submissively and pray openly, this friendship begins and it grows to the degree that we learn to grow into full submission and open our hearts freely to Him. Just as any other relationship cannot grow into a friendship without both talking and listening, so it is with our relationship with God. Our efforts to pray and pray well will be greatly blessed.
Yet towering far above these things is our relationship with God. The time and effort it takes to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8) brings far great blessings than any human friendship. It should come as no surprise that it takes the same steps to make friends with God as with fellow humans. Abraham was “called the friend of God, because he trusted God, listened carefully to all God said, and always did what was in God’s best interests (James 2:24). He loved and honored God by the manner in which he listened and that opened the door both to a strong faith and a close friendship. Most people want God’s friendship and to receive blessings from Him, but only true children of Abraham want to be God’s friend and sacrifice of themselves as Jesus did to help Him.
God lamented the broken relationships He had seen through the years with His people. They wanted His blessings, but refused to be His friend by caring enough about Him to listen carefully to His word. “But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. 13 Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies,” (Ps. 81:11-14).
Comparing Abraham, who became God’s friend through submission, with Cain, who “went out from the presence of the Lord” rather than submit to His commands (Gen. 4:1-16) makes this obvious. Cain refused to listen to God or to show Him the reverence and submission that was necessary to take God’s own needs into consideration. Cain was a “fair-weather” friend who did not love at all times, but only when God would give him what he wanted. When Cain realized that a friendship with God was going to cost him his own desires, he chose to become a stranger. The problem was simple. Cain was selfish, only concerned with his own needs. Multitudes today are content to have no relationship with God due to their own selfish needs and desires. If we seek to be His true children and His close friends, we must guard ourselves against the peril of selfishness.
All true friends of God put God’s needs above their own. They treasure His word, trust Him and at all costs submit to Him. Many passages in the NT (Mt. 7:21-23; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Jn 9) as well as many examples in the OT (Cain, Nadab & Abihu, the children of Israel, Saul, Uzziah, etc.) reveal the tragedy that occurs when people refuse to develop the ability to properly listen to God.
There can be no misunderstanding here! Our relationship with God and with our fellow man are both based upon our ability to master good communication skills. First and foremost, this means that we have to learn how to listen. A great deal of the Bible is dedicated to teaching God’s people proper skills about how to listen to God, show full respect and reverence for His word, and interpret Scripture as God wants. Jesus said it best. First, to be His true disciples we must listen carefully and abide in His word, showing full trust and submission. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn. 8:31-32). Second, Jesus’ friendship to us was sealed when he gave His life for His friends. But we are only His friends when we too manifest our own desire to be His true friend and never a “fair weather” friend. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (Jn. 15:13-14).
But God has revealed the importance of prayer to seal our friendship. After obedient listening, He wants us to open up to Him, learning to share our needs and feelings with Him. Can we sing with melody and feeling: “My God and I will go for aye together, We’ll walk and talk as good friends should and do; this earth will pass, and with it common trifles, But God and I will go unendingly.” (“My God and I” - #93 from “Hymns for Worship”).
God has expressed this need in His commands to us. Actually, learning how to share with Him in prayer is a vital part of listening to Him. He asked us to pray without ceasing, and to carefully watch and monitor our lives to be certain we are maintaining that communication. Too many times God has seen that if communication with Him fades, even a little, we can lose it altogether. “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Rom. 1:21). Thus our spiritual growth and maturity are based on how well we have learned to listen and trust (Rom. 10:17), and how well we have learned to share our needs, gratitude and praise in prayer.
- “Pray without ceasing.” (1Th. 5:17)
- “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” (Col. 4:2)
- “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–” (Eph. 6:18)
- “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” (Rom. 12:12).
Not only has God revealed that it is in our best interests to learn to “pray without ceasing”, but He has also told us of the pleasure it gives Him when we pray and the blessings it will bring to our relationship with Him. Not only is “the prayer of the upright is His delight” (Pr. 15:8), but it was said of Cornelius because he “prayed to God always” that “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.” (Acts 10:2-4). Could God say that about us? We must never forget, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” (Ps. 145:18-19).
Conclusion. God wants to be everyone’s friend. He loves all equally and gave His Son in order that none would perish. He is waiting for us to “draw near to Him” so “He can draw near to us.” God is as close to us as we will allow Him to come. When we listen submissively and pray openly, this friendship begins and it grows to the degree that we learn to grow into full submission and open our hearts freely to Him. Just as any other relationship cannot grow into a friendship without both talking and listening, so it is with our relationship with God. Our efforts to pray and pray well will be greatly blessed.