January 3
Friend or Foe?
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." Psalms 122:1 (NKJV)
There are two possible relationships a person can have with God. A person is either God's friend or he is God's foe. "Wait, that's not totally true. I know people who are sort of in the middle. They don't consider themselves to be friends with God, but they aren't really foes, either."
While that might be a sincere assessment, it's neither accurate nor biblical. God's Word clearly says we are enemies with God until we place our trust and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:10). When we do, a cease-fire is declared, and an abiding, peace-filled friendship with God is established (John 15:15 and Romans 5:1).
But it's one or the other. You're either a friend or a foe; there is no neutral ground. And your relationship status will be revealed by your attitude about being in His presence. If you're a friend, there's going to be great gladness, just as the Psalmist expressed at the thought of going to the house of the Lord. But if you're on the foe's side of the ledger, the thought of standing in God's presence will bring great sadness, fear, or disinterest.
One day, all of us are going to stand before our Maker and give an account of our lives to Him. What happens in your heart when you think about that? Does it produce the gladness that comes from being in the presence of a life-long friend? Does it frighten you as it would if you came face to face with a foe? Or do you shrug your shoulders and not feel anything?
God doesn't want to meet us as a foe but as a friend. And we will if we take Him at His Word, trusting that His Son came into our world to die on our behalf, paid the penalty for our sin, rose from the dead, and now lives to see us saved.
Friend above all friends, we ask You to use us to bring others into friendship and fellowship with You.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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