Proverbs 18: 24b …there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Did you have a best friend when growing up? I did. His name was David. Now, at 70 years old, I rarely see David; yet, I vividly remember how good a friend David was to me. He was so faithful and so gracious. It seemed he was more interested in my well-being than his own. He was especially a blessing during my fearful years navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence.
That old gospel hymn, What A Friend We Have in Jesus, is one of my favorites. You may want to revisit those precious words the next time you pick up a hymn book. They give testimony to so much of what we as pilgrims in this world face, and how Jesus is so faithful to minister to us as we travel in this foreign land.
The chorus to our poem also speaks of our faithful friend. When we need Him (which is always), He is always there. He is true to His word. He will never leave us or forsake us. He welcomes us into His presence with a tender, loving greeting; and, we are reminded that not only are we His children now, we will forever be His children. Nothing is going to change that. He will always be there for us. He wraps His loving arms around us as does a father for the child he loves. While in His embrace, our countenance changes. The dirge that accompanied our approach to him is soon transformed once again into singing.
Oh Christian, you have much about which to rejoice. All is well at Christ’s expense. His plans for you will never, NEVER fail. Be “confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1: 6) He is at work in YOU Christian (Philippians 2: 13), and nothing can stay His hand or resist His power. Simply put, you are going to make it to heaven, and nothing of this world or the god of this world can prevent that from happening.
Do we think God is not strong enough to do that which He purposes? Do we doubt that God loves us? Do we think that what is happening in our lives is beyond His sight or out of His control? Do we question God’s plan, wondering whether it’s really for our good? Oh Christian, when we find ourselves bending in that direction, we just need to STOP for communion with our Lord. We will be reminded that it is sweet as honey to the soul. We’ll experience him washing this world’s dust and grime off our feet. We’ll be reminded He is exactly who He says He is in His Holy Word. And we’ll be reminded that we are in Christ (an expression used 552 times in the New Testament)and He is in us (1 John 5: 20), always and forever.
SWEET COMMUNION
When the world all around me presses hard to confound me,
I will stop for sweet communion with my Lord, with my Lord.
When my cheeks flood o’er with crying, and I think I’m surely dying,
I will stop for sweet communion with my Lord, with my Lord.
He is always there to meet me; with his tender words He greets me;
He reminds me I’m His child forevermore, evermore.
His strong arms enclose my being, and I find again I’m singing.
All is well; His plans for me will never fail, never fail.
When it seems Satan’s winning, and the world’s awash in sinning,
I will stop for sweet communion with my Lord, with my Lord.
When the battleground is covered with the blood of saints who suffered,
I will stop for sweet communion with my Lord, with my Lord.
CHORUS
As I travel as a stranger, in this age of constant danger,
I’ll oft’ stop for sweet communion with my Lord.
I’ll look far beyond my sorrow to that glorious tomorrow.
I’ll forever have communion with my Lord, with my Lord.
BY dON cOVIL