"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises." (Psalm 25:14 LB)

For those who understand ancient Middle Eastern culture, there is a clear picture being presented in David’s statement above. Before we present that image, we must briefly consider the life of royalty.

Typically speaking, the common man would only see his nation’s king in controlled settings. It is possible that he would catch a glimpse of him as he traveled through town surrounded by his aides and bodyguards, but he would be more likely to see the king on his throne. Everything surrounding him in that regal setting is meant to convey the idea that this is a special person. The last thing the king’s assistants want is for the commoners to enter that room and see the king on their own level.

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The point in all this pageantry is to exalt the king—not so he can somehow feel better about himself—but so his subjects will respect his authority. The average citizen will never see his king under circumstances other than these.

However, every monarch has those close confidants to whom he can share his heart. He has his “joint chiefs of staff,” the military leaders whose job it is to defend the country. He also has economic advisors, political consultants and those who specialize in foreign affairs. Each of these people have access to the nation’s leader that the common man will never enjoy.

But then there are those with whom the king shares his deepest secrets: his perspectives and attitudes about other leaders, the long-range purposes he holds for his kingdom, the way he handles the great variety of issues of the day he faces.

This is also true in God’s kingdom. He too has His favorites. However, there is an amazing difference between an earthly leader and the Almighty. While a president or king confides in old friends and gifted advisors, God opens the door for any commoner to enter that level of intimacy with Him. He leaves it completely up to us: we can have as little or as much fellowship with Him as we desire.

Another difference in the two situations is the quality of people desiring attendance in these two throne rooms. One of the greatest challenges an earthly monarch faces is the difficulty in discerning a person’s motives for wanting to be near him. Too often, crafty, ambitious men adept at using flattery and feigned devotion are the ones to gain a position of trust.

This is not the case with our God! Not only does He have personal knowledge of each and every citizen in His kingdom, but He can see past a person’s outward show and right into the very motives and attitudes of the heart. As the Lord told Samuel, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

So God can flawlessly choose the ones with whom He wishes to share that level of intimacy. Not only can we rest assured that only those who belong in such a place of honor will be awarded it, but that door is open to all! Every citizen of God’s kingdom has the right to such a position if he will only prove it through his reverential devotion to the Lord.

And how about you?

• Where do you see yourself in God’s circle of friends?
• Are you willing to consecrate yourself to His kingdom in such a way that He could call you friend?

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