23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
– James 2:23
Life is simply better with a friend. A friend is someone we laugh with, cry with, and shoot the breeze with. They are someone we ought to be able to confide in and trust. Which is why keeping secrets, even “good secrets” from a friend can be very difficult. I’ll never forget playing trucks in the dirt when my friend Chris said he had a secret he couldn’t tell me. Whoa, wait! In my little mind, I’m thinking, “What do you mean you can’t tell me?” We are friends. This is what we do. We play trucks in the dirt and tell each other “stuff.” Apparently, he thought the same thing because without much prodding he “spilled the beans.” My parents were planning a surprise birthday party for me at…(Are you ready for this?)… Chuck-E-Cheese!
Oh my word! Get out of here?! This was unbelievable news. How was this even possible?! My mind was on overdrive as my little heart beat with excitement. When my mom called me inside to get cleaned up to go “somewhere,” I was beyond excited. I remember taking the fastest bath a boy could take just to be sent back for a second one because the dirt from afternoon play was still on the backs of my arms and legs. When I showed up, Chris and a few friends from school were there, we played all the games, we ate all the pizza, we jumped in the ball pit, it was incredible. To this day, as far as I know, my mom never let on if she knew my friend “ruined” the surprise. Looking back now, I’m not sure how she couldn’t have known. What I’m certain she did know was that her son’s birthday was simply better with friends.
As we come back to Genesis 18, it’s incredible to consider that Abraham is called a friend of God. He’s going to eat, walk, and talk with God. And amazingly, God, by His own prerogative is going to share His plan with Abraham. Unlike my exciting news above, the secret information God shares with Abraham is quite heavy. But God has called Abraham. He has a relationship with Him. He’s entrusting knowledge of His plan to Abraham, His friend who has believed and been counted as righteous. Friend, how mind-blowing is it that we too are friends of God who have received knowledge of God’s mysterious plan? Take some time to read Genesis 18:16 and consider how life is better now that we are called friends of God.
Take some time to listen to the worship set to prepare your heart.
Love you Church,
Jerry Lingenfelter
Senior Pastor