“The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” (Ex. 33:11)

Moses as God’s friend! What an amazing idea—that we can be friends with God. It might be one thing for us to want to be God’s friend, to approach God honestly, and in complete relaxation, but for God to want to be our friend. For God to take off God’s shoes and sit a moment and relax with us. This is almost incomprehensible. Yet, that is what the Scripture is saying here.

And not only here. In Isaiah 41:8 God refers to Israel as “my friend.” What would it feel like for God to call you, “my friend?” I think it would feel like a privilege beyond compare.

That privilege is ours! For God does call each of us, “my friend.” In John 15:14, Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” And that command is to “Love one another as I have loved you.” We, you, are God’s friend. God smiles when he sees you. God daydreams about spending time with you, sharing stories, laughing, sharing the highs and the lows of life, and even just being quiet together. God is friends with you.

How privileged we are to be God’s friends. As you get up the next couple of mornings, just imagine that God has been eagerly waiting for you to rise, to hear about how you are doing, what are your hopes and dreams and even fears for the day. God wants to know everything, because you are God’s friend.

That, indeed, is Grace. Grace in which we can trust.
Coe