God, the Friend
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 30:18-21
The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
I often picture God sitting on an ornate throne made of rare metals, adorned with priceless jewels, and upholstered in the finest fabric. Some Bible passages portray God in a similar way.
But, what if, for a moment, we close our eyes, quiet our souls, and imagine God differently? What if God—still in all his glory and splendor—isn’t sitting in lavishness associated with royalty but instead is sitting at the corner booth in a local coffee shop, or on the couch in your family room, eagerly waiting for you? What if God, who is so excited to see you, leaps from his seated position and embraces you like a friend who longs to hear how you are doing and what you have been up to? What if God, in both his divine and human nature, gives you his undivided attention as you share with him your life, your story, your joys, and your concerns? What if . . . ?
How do you see God today? Or, maybe a better question: How do you need to see God today? The beauty of God is that he is not only the King of all creation but also the attentive friend who is always near.
Gracious God, thank you for being the ruler of all things and the dear friend who is always present with us. Thank you for the ways you show your compassion, and help us today to share that same care with the people you place on our path. Amen.
About the author — Ben McKnight
Ben McKnight was born and raised in the West Michigan area. He has been married to Kayla for 14 years and has been a dad to Leo for almost five years. After graduating from Calvin Theological Seminary in 2017, he served as a pastor in Grant, Michigan, until spring 2021. He then served as a chaplain for a year at a local retirement community, and then with ReFrame Ministries’ advancement team. In spring 2024 he transitioned and began serving as the pastor of a church in Cedar Springs, Michigan.
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