While reading a scripture out of the Book of Job, I came across a passage where he is lamenting over things lost. In verse 14 of chapter 19 he says that his relatives have failed him and his intimate friends have forgotten him.
I’m sure each of us has felt like you were totally alone at some time or another. Even Jesus did. In fact, at the very end of His earthly life, He cried out “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” There is no worse feeling in the world than to feel like you are alone. It’s funny to me to think that the Creator of the universe would think that He was alone. However, at that point, He experienced something that I pray none of you ever do. Something that causes me to think is that not long before Jesus said that on the cross, He promised His disciples that He would never leave them nor forsake them.
There have been times when I felt like I was alone when in reality I probably wasn’t. Perceived reality is just as powerful as actual reality though. When you believe a lie, you will still act as though it is truth. I wonder if Job’s relatives did fail him and his friends ignored him? Sometimes when we are in situations, our friends don’t know how to act so they don’t even attempt to.
Do you ever wonder how Jesus felt when one of his closest disciples totally denied him? Wow! As much as He was divine, it had to have touched Him and broken Him. He knew it would happen but what a slap in the face. That may have been worse that being whipped.
Friends are so important to our wholeness. In Genesis, after the creation of Adam, God said that it wasn’t good for a man to be alone. While I agree with the general interpretation of that passage, I also believe that the Creator was establishing something within us to want to make that connection with other people.
I don’t know how many close friends you have but I do know that you have one who is closer than a brother. He said He would never leave you or abandon you. It is important to your becoming whole that you establish a close connection with some people and most importantly, Him You may find that by having friends you will laugh more which in turn will make you more healthy.
A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22
The Balm of Gilead 
Good message, Donny. Isn’t it great that we can trust that God will do what he says he will do. He has made a covenant with us to take us through the battles of this world and he has prepared a place for us with him in eternity. All we must do is to put our trust in the finished work of Christ at the cross. Jesus is a friend who has laid his life down for that we might be saved! How awesome is his love!
Amen!