Where shall we find such a friend? He that redeems from slavery, and delivers from bondage, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He that restores to the favour of the judge who condemned, or the Lord who delivered over to bondage, is such a friend - but Jesus does this.
He that admits to intimacy with himself, out of pure love, notwithstanding disparity of condition, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who counsels in trouble, and gives the best advice in perplexity, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who rescues from foes and renders their attempts to injure us abortive, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who takes in the rejected and homeless, who clothes the naked and feeds the hungry is such a friend - but Jesus does this.
He who exposes himself to pain, injury, insult, and death, to do us good, is such a friend - but Jesus has done this. He who expends all his property for our welfare, is such a friend - but Jesus did this. He who kindly reproves our faults in prosperity, and visits, comforts, and relieves in adversity, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who loves us through life, in death, and forever, is such a friend - but Jesus doth so.
He is the friend who loveth at all times; changing scenes change not His affection. His friendship flows from purest love, and is founded in a perfect knowledge of our persons - wants - dispositions - and propensities; His friendship is maintained by infinite patience - boundless pity - and the prospect of our being glorified with Him forever. He knows our frame, consults our welfare, and is determined to do us good. He will not allow us to lose by any of His dispensations; but will increase our spiritual wealth by all means.
The friendship of Jesus secures all good, and prevents all evil; He will never fail us nor forsake us. He commenced His friendship with a view to extend it through eternity; and it is the same at the close of the year as it was in the beginning.
O Jesus! let us love Thee with pure affection - walk with Thee in sweetest friendship--and prove ourselves Thy friends in every place! Be thou our Friend--Counsellor--Brother--Lord--and God--in life, death, and forever. Amen.
One there is, above all others, Well deserves the name of Friend : His is love beyond a brother's, Costly, free, and knows no end : They who once His kindness prove, Find it everlasting love. Which, of all friends, to save us, could or would have shed his blood? But our Jesus died to have us Reconciled in Him to God! This was boundless love indeed, Jesus is a friend in need! Amen!
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
Where shall we find such a friend? He that redeems from slavery, and delivers from bondage, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He that restores to the favour of the judge who condemned, or the Lord who delivered over to bondage, is such a friend - but Jesus does this.
He that admits to intimacy with himself, out of pure love, notwithstanding disparity of condition, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who counsels in trouble, and gives the best advice in perplexity, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who rescues from foes and renders their attempts to injure us abortive, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who takes in the rejected and homeless, who clothes the naked and feeds the hungry is such a friend - but Jesus does this.
He who exposes himself to pain, injury, insult, and death, to do us good, is such a friend - but Jesus has done this. He who expends all his property for our welfare, is such a friend - but Jesus did this. He who kindly reproves our faults in prosperity, and visits, comforts, and relieves in adversity, is such a friend - but Jesus does this. He who loves us through life, in death, and forever, is such a friend - but Jesus doth so.
He is the friend who loveth at all times; changing scenes change not His affection. His friendship flows from purest love, and is founded in a perfect knowledge of our persons - wants - dispositions - and propensities; His friendship is maintained by infinite patience - boundless pity - and the prospect of our being glorified with Him forever. He knows our frame, consults our welfare, and is determined to do us good. He will not allow us to lose by any of His dispensations; but will increase our spiritual wealth by all means.
The friendship of Jesus secures all good, and prevents all evil; He will never fail us nor forsake us. He commenced His friendship with a view to extend it through eternity; and it is the same at the close of the year as it was in the beginning.
O Jesus! let us love Thee with pure affection - walk with Thee in sweetest friendship--and prove ourselves Thy friends in every place! Be thou our Friend--Counsellor--Brother--Lord--and God--in life, death, and forever. Amen.
One there is, above all others, Well deserves the name of Friend : His is love beyond a brother's, Costly, free, and knows no end : They who once His kindness prove, Find it everlasting love. Which, of all friends, to save us, could or would have shed his blood? But our Jesus died to have us Reconciled in Him to God! This was boundless love indeed, Jesus is a friend in need! Amen!