All are Thine, O Lord, who lovest souls. (Wisdom xi. 29.)
Friendship is one of the consolations of man
upon earth. One faithful friend is worth a hundred acquaintances. A friend who values our friendship
for its own sake, is a treasure without price.
Such a friend we have in God. He has nothing
to gain from my friendship. His infinite happiness
is not increased by it. Yet His infinite goodness
includes an intense desire to make me happy.
When we have a faithful friend who is possessed
of unlimited influence and power, we consult
him in all our difficulties. God is of all friends
the most faithful and the most powerful; He desires
to be consulted by us in things small as well
as great, never tiring of our requests, more ready
to hear than we to pray. Yet how little have I had
recourse to Him hitherto! How little I have trusted
Him!
The best proof of a friend's love is a desire
for our company. In this respect what friend is
like God? He asks us, begs us, commands us, to
be always in His Presence: "Walk with God and
be thou perfect." All those who have served God
the best, have done so because He was continually
in their thoughts. He desires that we should be
always with Him, both here and hereafter. His one
object in all His commands to us is to secure our
company for ever in Heaven. Why am I so indifferent
about His presence, so soon weary of God?
Pray that you may appreciate and enjoy the Divine
friendship of God.