Social media has redefined the word “Friend.” Truth be told, most people that we have on our friends list are not friends; they are at best acquaintances. If we go back to the beginning of social networking, at least on MySpace, we had the ability to choose who was in our top eight, well, besides Tom. LOL
Most people who send friend requests are not really known. Usually, they are a friend of a friend, or they simply enjoy the content that you share. Either way, the title “Friend” has been watered down to a very low-grade relationship, and yet this is how we have been conditioned to connect and stay in touch. I mean, how else would you know it’s someone’s birthday?
We have taken Isaiah 40 this year to set the stage and focus our faith concerning what God wants to reveal and speak to us to establish our hearts and give the strength needed to succeed and fulfill the mission at hand. As I’ve mentioned in previous letters, Isaiah 40 is God declaring comfort and abundant strength to His people. This comfort is not emotional soothing that enables us to cope with life’s frustrations, but covenant empowerment, as we are fully joined with Him through the shed blood of Christ on the cross and His resurrection to abundant life. This gives us the confidence and certainty that we are no longer alienated from God but have been made one with Him.
I get the sense of God’s excitement and joy to be back with His created man and to have a full, intimate relationship with him. It’s a continual invitation to come back home, to return to the original condition and position that He had always intended for us. If you peek over the fence at Isaiah 41:10, you get a glimpse of the encouragement that God gives as He eradicates fear and the identity of an abandoned orphan, saying, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Wow, this is huge. God, the creator of the universe, has placed such value on you, and in the very moment that you need Him to reassure your heart and give you a future and hope, He’s there.
Why does God do this? What’s His motive, or even His reasoning, for making such promises? If you jump up to Isaiah 41:8b, it gives some clarity; it says, “…Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend.” What I love is that Galatians 3:29 says, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” The point is this: God friend requested Abraham, and Abraham accepted.
God calling Abraham a friend was not because of his Instagram or Facebook content. All joking aside, being a friend of God holds greater value and needs clarity and definition.
Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” This verse contrasts many companions with one true friend. We struggle to understand the depth of the word friend because it’s more superficial and based on casual convenience rather than a chosen commitment.
Most of us have heard the phrase, “Blood is thicker than water.” This phrase does not mean what you think. This is what most of us say to indicate that family is first and preferred. This is not to downplay family as I believe in a strong and healthy family, what I am shedding light on is the strength that is held in God calling us friend.
The phrase was originally stated, “The blood of covenant is thicker than water of the womb.” Why we drop some words is unclear, but what is known is that a covenant is a term used when describing a friend. A family member is inherited, but a friend is chosen intentionally for loyalty and protection. Covenant is not a word we commonly use today. We live more by the thought of contract, which we all know is made to be broken, I jest. But a covenant is sealed by blood and death being its only cancelation.
When we say, “Those are my people!” We are indicating those who are close to us. The reality is that “Your people” aren’t always the ones who share your blood, but the ones who share your battles!
Jonathan and David were covenant friends. Elisha was a friend to Elijah. These stories hold the weight of loyalty, protection and commitment to the assignment in the face of great adversity. What God is saying is that His “stick and stay” commitment is based on blood and is predetermined and qualified by and in Jesus Christ. Social friendships fall apart when life gets hard, but God says in Hebrews 13:5b-6, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So, we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
Companions gather around your success, but covenant friends remain through failures and trials. This is the God that wants to be in your life, a friend who will never abandon you or leave you without supply. John 15:15 says, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what His master is doing; but I have called you friends…”
As you step into the next six months of 2026, I want to encourage you, no matter the season that you are in or what you may be facing, your God has chosen to be eternally committed to you. His choice is not based on perfection or accomplishing a list of requirements, but on the humility and obedience of Christ to take the form of a bond servant and die the death of the cross sealing and forever consecrating God’s desire to walk with you and be there with you in every storm. Every major life decision. To take on every attack of the enemy and be your shield and your great reward!