I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. 146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promises. 149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your laws. 150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. 151 Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

Words similar to this Psalm often express the heart of one who is in desperation. Too often, only when we have tried all else and everything has failed, we turn to God and to his word. This is not the kind of trust God is looking for or expects from us. He is to be our first line of defense, our first source of strength, our first place of refuge, our first solace for pain but not our last resort. For the Psalmist, God was his first stop on the trip of life when there was a problem encountered, decision to be made or when things were going smoothly. He had a daily open relationship, based on constant communication with God. He cherished the word of God. He read it often and regularly. He spent time in meditation so he could properly apply it to his life. He followed its precepts and lived by its laws. He also talked with God often. (We call this prayer.) He would talk with his God and share what was on his heart. This is why we read such a variety of topics in the book of Psalms. He did not just offer God a wish list of things to be provided. He did not just complain when things were tough. He did not use God as last resort. He spent much time thanking God for his bountiful blessing. He spent time talking to God about his power, his wisdom and his providence. If we want to have this kind of friendship with God today, we must also have an open two-way communication with him. Not just prayer before we go to bed (not a bad idea though) but talk with him all day as we go about our affairs. Set aside a time every day to read his word. Yes, it might mean we have to turn off the TV or get away from the computer for a while but we will find it well worth this effort. James says if we draw near to God, he will draw near to us.

O God, please help me to open my heart to you and to your word more fully. Help me to take time to listen to you by reading your word. Give me the fortitude to meditate on it and the wisdom to properly apply it to my life. Help me to know you as my friend who cares about everything in my life and not just one who would listen to my problems. I thank you for your constant provisions and wonderful providence. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we share our friendship with God.