A Friend of God

“Abraham believed God… and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23).

We know Satan sometimes converses with God (Job 1-2). The topic of discussion is usually about God’s children, since Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).

Imagine the following discussion between God and Satan (based on Genesis 22, reading between the lines):

God initiates the conversation saying, “Satan, have you considered Abraham. He’s my friend” (Isa. 41:8).

Satan answers, “Aw, he ain’t such a good friend. He’d forsake you in a pinch.”

“No, he’s my friend. I can count on Abraham,” the Lord retorts.

Satan counters, “He’s not as good a friend as my friends! I can always count on my friends. Just look at my friends down there at the Nile River sacrificing their children to the crocodiles worshipping me. And I have other friends among the Canaanites who cause their children to pass through the fires of Molech for me. My friends give up their children for me! I bet your so-called friend, Abraham, would never do that for You!”

God answers, “Yes he would!”

Satan says, “Oh, no he won’t!”

Then God says, “OK, Satan, I’ll prove it to you.” And God commanded Abraham, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Gen. 22:2).

And you know by reading Genesis 22:23-14 that Abraham proved he was God’s friend by obeying the Lord (cf. James 2:21-23).

How good a friend are you to God?   Satan has friends who give up their wealth, health, families, and even their own souls for him.  What will you willing to give up for God, if He is your friend?