DECEMBER 31
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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