Jesus, Our King and Yet Our Closest Friend

It is always right to respect the Lord and to be careful that we don’t grieve His Spirit. But remember this that He is the Friend that is closer than a brother. The Lord is full of paradoxes. He is our sovereign King and yet He is our best Friend and most intimate Lover of our souls. When you look at the world view of a monarch, The world exalts them high above us. They seem unapproachable and are separated from us. Yet they are just men and women like us. When Christ died on the cross, He tore the veil that was between us and God and we finally had access to God’s throne. I like the way Hebrews 4:16 is written in the Amplified Bible; Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. That means we can approach Him with confidence and without fear. He knows us so much more intimately than we know ourselves. He knows the desires of our hearts and even knows what we are going to ask Him before we do. And yet He takes such pleasure in us asking Him questions. He revels in our fellowship with Him.

When my children were little, they used to ask me all kinds of questions. There favourite one was. "Why?" I used to get so frustrated with them asking why for every little thing and yet I knew I had to be patient as it was a natural part of their growing up. How much more patient is God with us His children when we ask why as we are maturing in Him. 

When my wife was diagnosed with mental illness and my marriage fell apart, I was left to raise two small children on my own, I was so full of hurt and despair. I went to a men’s retreat out in the country and once I was alone, I had it out with God. I yelled and screamed at Him for I don’t know how long. My biggest question was, "Why?" I yelled until I had no voice left. I thought for sure with the way I spoke to Him that I was going to be fried with a lightning bolt or something. When my anger was spent, all I could do was quietly sob. It was then that He came to me. He was so gentle. He said to me; "Gerry, are you finished now?" He then reminded me of all the things He had done the way he had reminded Job, and asked me if I could do the things He could do and know the things He did. He told me there were things that He was working out that at that moment that I didn’t need to concern myself with. I just needed to trust Him. Then He told me how much He loved me. I just sobbed and sobbed. A 38 year old man crying in the arms of his Friend and King. There was no lightning bolt or anger. Only love.  God is big enough to take our questions as long as they are done out of a sincere heart. The heart of child. The heart of a worshipper.

 

Thanks to Launa of Launa’s Little Piece of Heaven for creating the Take a Stand For Jesus banner for me. Let everyone know you are taking a stand and copy and paste it into your latest blog. Turn your space settings from private to public.

 

 

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