Thursday, December 31, 2020

A FRIEND LOVETH AT ALL TIMES .

 
DECEMBER 31
 
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
 
Where shall we find such a friend?
 
He that redeems from slavery, and delivered from bondage, he is such a friend -- 
but Jesus does this.
 
He that restores to the favour of the judge who condemned, or the Lord who delivered over to bondage, is such a friend -- 
but Jesus does this.
 
He that admits to intimacy with himself, out of pure love, notwithstanding disparity of condition, is such a friend -- 
but Jesus does this.
 
He who counsels in trouble, and gives the best advice in perplexity, is such a friend -- 
but Jesus does this.
 
He who rescues from foes and renders their attempts to injure us abortive, is such a friend -- but Jesus does this.
 
He who takes the rejected and homeless, who clothes the naked and feeds the hungry, is such a friend -- but Jesus does this.
 
He who exposes himself to pain, injury, insult, and death, to do us good, is such a friend -- 
but Jesus has done this.
 
He who expends all His property for our welfare, is such a friend -- but Jesus did this.
 
He who kindly reproves our faults in prosperity, and visits, comforts, and relieves in adversity, is such a friend -- but Jesus does this.
 
He who loves us through life, in death, and for ever, is such a friend -- 
but Jesus doth so.
 

He is the friend who loveth at all times; changing scenes change not His affection.
 
He is friendship flows from purest love, and is founded in a perfect knowledge of our persons – wants – dispositions -- and propensities; His friendship is maintained by infinite patience -- boundless pity -- and the prospect of our being glorified with Him for ever.
 
He knows our frame, consults our welfare, and is determined to do us good.
 
He will not allow us to lose by any of His dispensations; but will increase our spiritual wealth by all means.
 
The friendship of Jesus secures all good, and prevents all evil; He will never fail us nor forsake us.
 
He commenced His friendship with a view to extend it through eternity; and it is the same at the close of the year as it is in the beginning.
 
O Jesus! let us love Thee with pure affection -- walk with Thee in sweet friendship -- and prove ourselves Thy friends in every place; be Thou our Friend – Counselor – Brother – Saviour -- Lord -- and God -- in life, death, and for ever.
 
Amen.
 
 
One there is above all others,
Well deserves the name of Friend;
His is love beyond a brother’s,
Costly, free, and knows no end;
They who once His kindness prove,
Find it everlasting love.
 
Which, of all our friends to save us,
Could or would have shed his blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled in Him to God!
This was boundless love indeed,
Jesus is a friend indeed.
 
James Smith
 


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