Your best friend is Jesus

Written by Richelle Hecker

You Can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Which of these two dogs do you feel more like today? The one who seems confident that he has everything under control, or the one who looks a bit defeated by his circumstances? The top dog doesn’t appear to notice that the other dog is even there, let alone that he is laying on him. He’s looking at the camera, boldly ready for whatever might be coming next. The underdog is not ready for anything more. He looks tired and like he wishes everyone would just go away.

We could look at this photo another way as well.  Maybe confident dog holds a protective stance over his weary friend. He may very well be communicating to the photographer that it’s time to leave this dog alone!

“There are “friends” who destroy each other,
    but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 New Living Translation

Likely, you have taken the stance of each of these dogs at one time or another. They are not brothers by birth, but they stick close together and are protective of one another. Perhaps there are members of your circle of friends that are like this. There also may be people in your life that are a bit more like the original description I gave of these dogs. There are often friends that are right on top of our defeated selves, completely unaware of how weary we are beside them. Occasionally we are the ones oblivious to the pain we are causing our friends.

The proverb above says we need to be friends that do not destroy one another. Still we know, sometimes we make mistakes and hurt one another. We are not perfect. At times there are no friends around to defend and protect us. Remember, we have one friend who is always there and who is always perfect. Jesus already proved Himself to be your greatest friend.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 New Living Translation 

Look to Jesus for love, comfort, and protection. He is always there.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO