Casting Crowns – Thrive

What a blessing Deborah gives in the book of Judges to all who are friends with God.

“So may all your enemies perish, O Lord!
    But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.” – Judges 5:31  ESV

The sun is the emblem of splendour and of power representing radiance and energy, light and might.

This expression reminds me that I am to walk as children of the light. God, who is the author of all change, the parent of all life and the reservoir of all energy, has love for me that is not a weak, sentimental kind of love, but one of power which invigorates me, making me strong as well as gentle and gracious.

There are two kinds of friends of Jesus that I am reminded of. One the owner of a donkey who loaned it to Jesus.

If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’”  – Mark 11:3  ESV

The other is Judas who eventually betrayed Him.

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. – Psalm 41:9  ESV

I pray that when others describe me, they will say that I was like the sun.