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Beloved.

A friend loves at all times . . Prov 17:17
Having a best friend is a huge blessing in my life.  She understands me and knows  pretty much everything about me.  She loves me as I am.  She is there for me, no matter what. 

Have you ever heard of the friendship in the Old Testament of Jonathan and David?  David grew up to be King David, Jonathan was King Saul’s son, heir to the throne.  It’s a story of a beautiful relationship, one of giving and receiving.  Jonathan even helped David to the throne, Jonathan’s own birthright.  I Samuel 23:16 says “And Saul’s son, Jonathan, went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.”  True friendship indeed!

I think that a true friend, a sister-in-Christ, a woman of the Truth who loves God and yearns to know Him more, is truly a gift from God Himself.  His will for us is to be encouraged.  To have friends around us who show us Him, His way, His will for us. 

There are numerous verses about friendship, with Proverbs 17:17 (above) as the one probably remembered most.  Here’s another one:

Proverbs 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

A true friend doesn’t bring you down, she lifts you up.  She’s there when you need her, and sometimes when you don’t need her, she comes anyway! 

That is the kind of friend God is to us.  His friendship far exceeds all others.

To be united with Christ, one with Him, His beloved, is to be His friend.  He is our confidant.  He is our encourager, our strength, our joy.  As much as I can love any one on this earth, all of them put together can NOT do that.  No matter how hard they try.

WE ARE HIS BELOVED, HIS OWN. 

Paul says it so well in Philippians (2):

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 

So how can one be united with Christ?  Be His friend?  How did you befriend your BFF?  Get to know Him, talk to Him, be still in His presence.  Listen.

                  “The only way to have a friend is to be one” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be a friend, unite yourself with your Savior.  Lean on Him, count on Him, let Him.  Let Him friend you, strengthen you, love you..  Unite yourself with Him, His ways, His purpose. 

Be His Beloved.     

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