What a Friend.

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

You don’t have to say to much to someone to really make or break their day. A good word, a thank you, or a compliment can really change the course of a person’s day, even their life. On the other hand, a negative word or a criticism can be devastating and, in some cases, deadly. This is why I find the need to search the scriptures daily for the Good Word of God, that is, Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I’m able to find a symbol of Christ hidden in a passage of scripture like in the case of Noah’s Ark or the sacrificial offerings of the Old Testament. But more often than not, I find that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit inspired writings of the Bible, likes to just straight up tell us things. This is what makes reading the Bible fun. It’s not about looking for rules and regulations, fix-it programs, or a how-to guide to Christian living, but rather finding out what our friend, Jesus, has to say.

Jesus is all about grace and glory. He’s all about forgiveness, healing, and blessing. He’s not condemnation. He is altogether lovely. He is the perfect friend. When you’re down and out, Jesus has an encouraging word (John 5:7-8). When you screwed up your life, Jesus has forgiveness (John 8:11). When you don’t have enough, Jesus has an abundance (John 6:11). When you betray Him, Jesus calls specifically for you (Mark 16:7)! That’s the Prince of peace, the King of kings; that’s my Jesus!

When Jesus went to the cross He made a willful decision to trade all of His riches, glory, and honor for our sin, corruption, and heartache. He became our sin so that we could become His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Since we have become righteous because of Him, God the Father sees us as perfect, blameless, and upright (complete)! When God looks at us He sees Jesus’ sacrifice, perfection, and righteousness (1 John 4:17). Knowledge of this gives us the hope (a confident expectation of good and eternal salvation) to inherit all of the promises of God.

Today, I have the confidence to declare to you who are in Christ that, according to His word, no good thing will be withheld from you. That’s awesome news! Think about all of the good things that are out there in this world. Prosperity, security, life, and health are just the tip of the iceberg. Friends, the Lord God who is righteous and holy has made you righteous and holy through the once and for all sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Through Him [Jesus] we are made complete; we are those who walk uprightly!