*DAILY DEW 5/MAY/2023* *Friends of God* _Key Bible Text:_ *"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."* (James 2:23 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ One of the high goals of our calling is to become friends of God. God also values and seeks friendship. Intimate friendship for that matter. Right from the garden of Eden, God did not relate with the man he made in His image as Boss and Servant (even though that too is a legitimate relationship that we have with God at the same time). However, it is clear that God enjoyed a friendship relationship with the people He created. In Genesis 3:8 God was coming on one of his (regular) visits to have an evening chat with Adam and Eve but alas mankind had lost the boldness to live and relate as friends with God. In Christ, the friendship goal was completely revisited and revived:- *"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."* John 15:13-15 (KJV) It is totally okay to understand that we are still servants of God, but God will want us even more to relate as friends. The bedrock of friendship is intimacy. When Moses tasted this Intimacy of friendship, it would bring him both responsibilities and privileges. As a friend, Moses would talk God out of destroying the Isrealites and because he was such a dear friend, he stood tall in the art of intercession. Same with Abraham. He would intercede for Lot. And God would show them deeper things than the ordinary. To Abraham he revealed his plans to wipe out Sodom & Gomorrah (a highly classified operation) & with Moses he communed face to face and personally "changed it for" (vexed with) Miriam & Aaron because they dared to chide Moses rudely because of a purely private or family matter-- Moses' choice of a wife. Hmm mm. On the other hand, Moses' friendship meant God expected more from him. You can't be so close to God and be so slow to please God. To whom much is given, much is expected. He struck the rock twice rather than speak to the rock, and God was so disappointed that He personally pushed for his "immediate" replacement. _MEDITATION:_ *"For God, the goal is friendship. Are you a friend of God?!"* *#David_Joshua_Egbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_MAY,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.