The Japanese have a term, kenzoku, which translated literally means “family.” The connotation suggests a bond between people who’ve made a similar commitment and who possibly share a similar destiny. It implies the presence of the deepest connection of friendship, of lives lived as comrades from the distant past. – Alex Lickerman, M.D.

Kenzoku brings to my mind individuals who may be brothers, sisters, other relatives or just long time friends from the past; but they are dearest to your heart. True friends have your best interest at heart and will never lead you to go against your principles. Over the years they have been “tried and true” regardless to the circumstance or need they have been there when you needed them the most.

This morning I stopped to tell you about a friend who sticks closer than any brother, you can call Him when all your earthly friends forsake you…just stop and look towards the hills, where all of our help comes -His name is Jesus, and He loves us and knows all about our troubles.“O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1.  

And above all-He is our forever friend…eternal in the Heavens…but is closer than  the very air that we breathe. Psalm 139:1-5 states “O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.” He is the One who orders our steps and will always keep us in His everlasting arms.

Have you tried Jesus today? Our earthly friends are  human and subject to fail; but Jesus loves us so much that He gave His very life for us; “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. If He gave up His glory in heaven to come to this sinful world and die and excruciating death on the cross, so that we may live with Him eternally, won’t He provide, protect, and give us all that we need in an through all things?

So I ask you in the words of the old gospel hymn:

My friends, trust God– He is faithful to provide all that you need!