I love how God can connect with His children in creative ways. In recent days I went through a period of discouragement. My spiritual and emotional meters were registering dangerously low numbers. I grew increasingly disappointed with myself because none of the things I was dealing with were dangerous issues. I wondered why I was so down. There were several discouraging events but nothing major. I prayed to the Lord to get me back on the path of trusting Him as I drove to a meeting.

I was listening to 70’s music when a song by Carol King popped up. I love her voice so I turned up the volume. The lyrics hit me between the eyes.

When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right

Hmmmm. Interesting. I can relate to those words for sure. Is this song a request someone made for my current journey? The song continued.

Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you’ve got to do is call
And I’ll be there, yeh, yeh, yeh
You’ve got a friend

Carol King was singing about being a loyal friend that would show up whenever needed. You just had to call her to show up. The Holy Spirit touched my heart with a reminder that I have a friend named Jesus. There are a couple of major differences between my Savior and Good Shepherd friend and my best earthly friends. Jesus doesn’t come running when I call out His name. He is already there. He has been there all along. His grace and love were waiting to brighten up my darkest night. All I had to do was call on my friend who is already there!

God knows that we need earthly friends to help navigate this often-difficult journey. It is so helpful to live in a kind community but sometimes the best source of comfort and healing is through the love of Jesus.

One of my favorite New Testament stories is the man who was paralyzed, and his friends were trying to get him in front of Jesus to get healed. They cared. When they couldn’t get in the door, they cut a hole in the roof, and lowered him down to Jesus. The Lord was moved by the man’s faith (and the faith of his friends) and He had mercy on him. What strikes me is how Jesus addressed the man.

He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”  (Luke 5, NASB)

Jesus meets you there when you are going through struggles and that meeting you is not just in theory. He suffered. He agonized with God the Father. He knows the human condition. He has been where you are. Because of God’s incredible plan we have a Shepherd who understands the pain and challenge of being living in a fallen world.

Hey, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend?

It is so good to know you’ve got a forgiving friend of sacrificial love and grace in Jesus. The secular lyrics continue to have spiritual application.

People can be so cold.
They’ll hurt you and desert you.
Well they’ll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don’t you let them.

Satan would like nothing more than to use the hurts and difficult people in life to take our very soul away from the gift of salvation. Don’t you let them. Lean on Jesus.

So, my heart was healed by the Holy Spirit through a 70’s hit from Carol King. Also interesting that her last name matches the role of Jesus in the Kingdom of God.

For, At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings. (1 Timothy 6:15, NLT)

Wow. The King of all kings is willing to be my friend even when I fail? And He will walk with me through trials?

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5, NLT)

That is a promise that we can hold on to in times of sorrow, suffering, anxiety, and frustration. Jesus is always with us. He will restore, support, strengthen, and place us on a firm foundation. Even when I (and maybe you might do this too) veer off the path of grace all we have to do is call His name. He is there ready to get us back on track.

Pardon my grammar but ain’t it good to know that we’ve got a friend like Jesus?