Isaiah 41 “A Friend is..”
What is a true friend? Isaiah reminds the people that God called Abraham his friend. How and why did God choose that designation? James tells us that “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.” [James 2:23] Ruth also fits in that category because she believed Yahweh and left what was familiar to go to the unfamiliar as she joined “hip to hip” with Naomi. Jesus told the disciples you are no longer servants but friends. “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends,” [Jn 15:15]
A friend is one who drives two hours in the middle of the night to be with you as your sister is in the OR. A friend joins you in prayer as your precious family member nears their last hours. A friend is one who leaves the familiar to walk beside you mile after mile back to their hometown as Ruth did with Naomi.
Am I a friend of God’s? Am I a true friend? Webster defines a friend as one who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiment of esteem, respect, and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.
Would God call me His friend?