“A FRIEND in need is a friend indeed,” said I to myself on a recent occasion, when, alighting at a railway terminus, I observed a young woman, who had also reached the end of her journey, walking on the platform with a female friend who was there ready to receive her. The young woman was evidently in trouble, and was weeping bitterly, while her friend, who was a middle-aged person, was manifestly deeply sympathizing with her, and trying all she could to comfort her. I should have thought that she might have been the mother of the young woman, from the tender interest expressed in her countenance, but if she were, the relationship was not evidenced by any likeness to each other. At any rate, she appeared to be a true, sympathizing friend. I, of course, could not think of intruding upon the intimacies of friendship; though my observation of them raised in my heart sympathy with them.
What a blessing it is to have a real friend! One to whom we can impart the sorrows and trials of our hearts. But how few there are who answer to this essential requirement! Even if one’s friend be ever so true, that friend may fail to apprehend the actual want of one’s heart or be unable to apply the right remedy. And, worse still, one who is called a friend, may give unwise counsel, or even be turned into an enemy. The blessed Lord Jesus proved this in His holy life upon earth; as expressed by the spirit of prophecy. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Psa. 41:9. And again, “I was wounded in the house of my friends.” Zech. 13:6.
But He, having died for those who were once His enemies (Rom. 5:6-11), has made those who believe on Him His friends. John 15:15. How comforting and assuring are the words, “A friend loveth at all times,” Prov. 17:17; and “There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24. And what Friend is there, but the Lord Jesus, who answers to these claims? How assuring it is to read of Him, as He is now above, having gone there through death for us, that “We have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,” who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Heb. 4.
Yes, there is ONE indeed,
In Whom these blessings blend;
The very Friend of souls in need,
And faithful to the end.
His love, so true and pure,
Is an undying flame,
Through every change it cloth endure,
And JESUS is His name.
What grace on earth He show’d,
To those who mourn’d and sigh’d;
And, oh! what depth of love o’erflow’d,
When He for sinners died.
Exalted now on high,
With glory crown’d above,
He stoops to hear each feeble cry,
And answer it in love.
Then, turn thou unto Him,
Whate’er thy woe and grief;
What though thine eyes with tears, be dim,
He’ll give thee full relief.
Oh, lay thine head and heart
Upon His holy breast,
And He will heal thy bosom’s smart,
And be Himself thy rest.
Have you never remarked that the relations and acquaintances of a real Christian take little notice of him while they are basking in the prosperities of the world; but that, when they are in any trouble, they generally go to him? May believers never discourage this tendency of their worldly friends! It is an acknowledgment on their part, that a Christian possesses a power of comfort in trouble which they do not possess. And the Lord may bless a word in season which may be spoken to them.
But as regards the Lord Jesus, it is a poor matter to go to Him only when we are in trouble. What should we think of a friend who only came to us when he was in distress and difficulty; and who kept all his prosperity and joys to himself? The Lord is the source of the joy of the believer. Let us, then, who have believed in His name, not only go to Him when we are in trouble, but make Him our continual joy, and find our chief delight in serving Him. T.