Friendship

 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
Psalm 25:14 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.25.14.ESV

Friendship and fear might seem superficially contradictory. Yet if we're truly friends with someone, we would fear upsetting them. If we have the honour of being friends with Almighty God, we ought to fear grieving Him.

So if we're afraid of angering God, chances are we're His friends. The fear of the Lord might be the beginning of wisdom, but the love of God is the eternal destiny of wisdom.

When God makes known His covenant to us, He reveals it to be one built upon love rather than fear. The fear of the Lord is the kind that drives us to Him, not from Him. Having been driven to Him, we find that His perfect love casts out fear.

Friendship with God is not just a nice accessory to life, it is the meaning of life itself. To know God is to know our life source and the source of all that is good in life. Friendship with God is the meaning of life, and is enjoyed for eternity by those who trust in Him.

'Dear Lord, thank You for not being ashamed to be a friend of sinners like us. May we fear and love You as we ought. For the glory of Your name, amen'

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