My friend Levan wrote a thoughtful article. I am grateful to have witnessed Levan move from a hard core non-believer to a lover of Christ. There were enough times when Levan was simply sharing challenges and questions that he was going through, that the response I found myself giving him were meant to minister to me as well.
As Levan and I have each other as brothers-in-Christ and as friends, we share one common Friend Who had made the deepened friendship possible. The hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus comes to mind.
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Interestingly, I was just texting Levan about a thought I had regarding e recent question of his. In the text, it was a word that came to me about having nothing to hide from God. Like every loving father who wants to hear all the concerns of his children, so does God the Father. Jesus made it possible to cast our burdens upon Him. His shed blood has already atoned for our sins, and thus we can boldly approach the throne of grace. We were taught to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Thanks for reading this far. Here is Levan’s article.