October 3, 1998, Saturday

Do you have friends because of your material wealth or

their material wealth? If you suffered personal family

loss, would you be able to rely on support from those

friends? Would those friendships change if the material

status were to change?

Abraham believed God and was called the "friend of God". He

was a rich man when He believed God. Abraham recognized the

value of his faith over wealth. Abraham had faith and it was

accounted to him as righteousness. God tested Abraham to

determine that his faith and devotion was sincere. Abraham

was found faithful in his friendship to God: "Now it came

to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and

said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am" (Gen 22:1).

Abraham obeyed God and found provision by God.

Job expressed his devotion to his faithful friend and Lord in

the face of affliction and death: "Though He slay me, yet will

I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him"

(Job 13:15). Job would not and did not turn back from his faith

and devotion even though some encouraged him to curse God for

all his pain and suffering. Job obeyed God and proved God true.

Habakkuk the prophet expressed his faithfulness to God even in

the face of poverty and much want. He did not serve God because

of the prospect of material blessing, but from devotion to Him.

"Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on

the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields

produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle

stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad, because the

Lord God is my savior. The Sovereign Lord gives me strength.

He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the

mountains" (Hab 3:17-19). Habakkuk obeyed God and praised

God even though all circumstances looked terrible.

Let us remember who is our Best Friend. God's name is Jehová

Adonai . He is the God who will never fail you nor forget

you. He will never leave you or let you down. We love Him and

are faithful to Him, because His tests improve us. Lift your

hands to your Best Friend. Praise Him and thank Him for all the

blessings of His acceptance and friendship.