God, My Closest Friend

Luke 18:35-43

     As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.  They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
     He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
     Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
     
     Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him.  When he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
     "Lord, I want to see," he replied.
     Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.  When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

The message here is awesome!  Jesus knew what the blind man wanted as the man called out.  Jesus didn't stop to ask the man what he wanted because he didn't know.  I guess He wanted to see the man's faith out loud.  It was a testimony to others.  It offered the opportunity for others to see God's glory and to praise Him!

The same is true in my life.  Sometimes the thing I need (or want) is pretty obvious.  Besides, God knows everything!  He doesn't need me to tell him in order for him to know.  But sometimes the Lord wants me to ask.  He wants communion with us.  And God wants to be glorified in everything.  When we are a living testimony and speak out loud about what we need and then others can see how the Lord was faithful, it can be a powerful testimony.  But remember, 2 Corinthians 10:17 "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  When the Lord does answer prayer, the glory needs to be given to him.

I think of the friends I'm closest to and why I'm closest to them.  I talk to them, spend time with them, pray for them, etc....  Where there is no investment there is no gain.  God should be my closest friend = I should be spending the most time with HIM.  People know who my close friends are.  I talk about them and lift them up in conversation.  So people should know that God is my closest friend and ally.