“… There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)
“The Lord knows.” Those three words should bring us great comfort. In one of the most difficult seasons of his life, David said: “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities” (Psalm 31:7). When we are in pain we want someone to know about it. A little child who is sick wants Mommy near. To go through a hard trial, where no one is feeling what we are feeling, is a lonely experience. David knew this desire for someone to understand what he was going through. He said: “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142:4) Ultimately, David realized that no one other than God could be his Refuge and Portion in this life. He then looked to the Lord: “I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” (Psalm 142:5)
God brings us into deep waters, not so that we can drown, but so that we might find in Him our all. The promise of His presence brings us everlasting consolation. His hand in ours is all we need to go forward. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. He is the Friend that loves us at all times, and the Brother that is born for adversity. When others step away from us, He steps toward us, for He is near to those of a broken heart and rescues those whose spirits are crushed. No one else understands perfectly because no one else can understand. No one is nearer to us than our Lord who was tempted in all points like we are. He is not distant, unmoved, or at an awkward loss as to what to say or do; He knows how to run to our aid at just the right time with just the right word or action. Most often, He needs to say or do nothing. The assurance that He knows and is there is enough.