In this life, we need a friend

In this life, we need a friend. A friend to share in joy, in trials, in accomplishments, in sorrow. A friend to lean on, that we can always trust, that carries us through the storms, encourages, comforts, and strengthens.

To have a friend that knows our thoughts and intentions? That is willing to forgive and to forget all our mistakes, misdeeds, and offenses? That is with us, no matter where we are at, with us at the lowest, darkest points in our life, to comfort us and let us know we are loved? A friend that hears us when we cry, no matter where we are at or what time of the day or night it is – and at that moment protects, defends, and answers?

Everything we need, everything we could ever want in a friend, beyond human ability and capacity, we find in Jesus.

Jesus said,

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus calls us. He calls us to make a choice to forsake the world. We choose to “yoke” ourselves together with Him, in a covenant relationship, to forsake the sin and things of this world that we would put before Him.

The Bible calls this repentance, and the covenant that we yoke ourselves together with is water baptism in Jesus name. The gift of this covenant is the infilling of Jesus’ Spirit, the Holy Ghost. We receive His Spirit within us, and receive His name Jesus by baptism in Jesus name.

By repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of His Spirit, we have taken His yoke upon us, and have found rest for our souls.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:35, 37-39 KJV

Another translation:

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? …No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, [fn: nor rulers] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35, 37-39 NLT