When You Need A Friend

Simon and Garfunkel released  “Bridge Over Troubled Water” the year that I started high school. The 60’s brought a kind of revolution to the United States. Civil rights struggles brought riots to the streets. The Vietnam war divided the nation.  Assassins brought down a President, his brother, and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Society was being reshaped. It was the era of sex, drugs, and rock music redefining how America lived. And then we heard the voices of two guys offering a way to get through the mess:

 

When you're weary, feeling small; 
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all.
I'm on your side
When times get rough,
And friends just can't be found; 
Like a bridge over troubled water,
I will lay me down. – Paul Simon, copyright, 1969

What did I know about ‘troubled waters’ at the tender age of 14? Not much at all.  But, I knew the value of a friend and I still do! When a person offers concern and demonstrates love, it helps to restore hope of a new day.  A friend is a kind of bridge.  Even as an old cynic, Solomon acknowledged the importance of friendship. "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NLT)

But, troubles come that no earthly friend can take away, that cannot be soothed by calming words of concern. What then?  You and I still need a Friend, who is closer than a brother.  His invitation is sweeter than the old folk song by far.  Jesus says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you." (Matthew 11:28-29, The Message)  

Peter knew this Friend and tells that we can "cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV)  “Cast” is an action word in the original language of the New Testament.  It means ‘throwing something down violently!’  We are urged to take those heavy burdens of life and throw them onto the shoulders of an Almighty God. Peter, the impulsive disciple, was inspired to pen those words for us. He wrote them out of his own experience of Jesus’ amazing Friendship.   When Peter responded to Jesus’ invitation to walk on water and got out of the boat, it was only a moment before he saw the waves and sank, saved only by his Friend’s strong grasp. He followed Jesus on the night of His arrest showing more courage than all except John, but then his courage collapsed and he swore, “I never knew Him.” But, his Friend found him in Galilee, restored him, and told him to “feed My sheep!”   Peter led the disciples through the first decade of Christianity.  And through it all he found the treasure of knowing a great Friend. So, he tells us that whne we are bent under the weight of worry, troubled by life, there is just one solution:  Throw it onto the shoulders of your strong Friend! He is ready to care for you.

Situations will arise that do not yield to your best efforts at finding an answer. People will act irrationally, disappointing and frustrating you. Disasters come – fire, flood, and disease – and we cannot understand why. These are the times to cast your care on Him! Fall on your face and give it up, letting go of control, releasing your need to know – not in resignation to fate, but in an act of faith that says, “Lord, I cannot carry it; please lift it from my shoulders.”

Here’s a word from the Word for this day.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV)

Go ahead, right now…

take that heavy thing that is breaking your heart and imagine you have in your grasp. Got it? 
Now, throw it to Him, “Here it is. Thank you for helping me carry it, Lord. Amen.”

______________________

What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Converse)

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.

Charles Crozat Converse | Joseph Medlicott Scriven

© Words: Public Domain