One of the things that seems to be lacking in this world is encouragement and friendship. A very “me first” selfish kind of existence.

In Roman days the Jews were treated like 3rd class citizens with no privileges.

Many today are treated unfairly for various reasons, ostracized and picked on.

So the question is —
Who is great in God’s eyes?

I borrowed the following story from Max Lucado’s book “In The Eye of The Storm”

A young boy went into a pet shop, looking for a puppy. The store owner showed him a litter in a box.

The boy looked at the puppies. He picked each one up, examined it and put it back into the box.

After several minutes he walked back to the owner and said, “I picked one out. How much will it cost?”

The man gave him the price, and the boy promised to be back in a few days with the money.

The boy went to work, weeding, washing windows, and cleaning yards. He worked hard and saved his money.

When he had enough for the puppy he returned to the store.
He walked up to the counter and laid down a pocketful of wadded bills. The store owner sorted and counted the cash!
“All right son, you can go get your puppy.”

The boy reached into the back of the box, pulled out a skinny dog with a limp leg, and started to leave.

The owner stopped him. “Don’t take that puppy,” he objected. “He’s crippled. He can’t play. He’ll never run with you. He can’t fetch. Get one of the healthy pups.

No thank you, sir.” the boy replied. “This is exactly the kind of dog I’ve been looking for.”

As the boy turned to leave, the store owner started to speak but remained silent. Suddenly he understood.

Extending from the bottom of the boy’s trousers was a brace—a brace for his crippled leg.

Oftentimes we feel we are unworthy. When trouble surrounds you in a variety of ways and our self confidence is put to the test.

God Knows! Don’t focus on your weaknesses even if people remind you of them. Instead focus on the Goodness of God and how He sees us as his righteous children.

Our sins are forgotten, both past, present and future, if our faith is truly in the Savior Jesus Christ.

Just like the little boy who looked at the puppy as being like him. God looks on us as like him. We were made in His image.

Never forget that. Place your full trust in our Savior Jesus Christ.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

1) What a Friend we have in Jesus, 
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a Privilege to carry 
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, 
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry 
Everything to God in prayer!

2) Have we trials and temptations? 
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; 
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful 
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; 
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3) Are we weak and heavy laden, 
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior still our Refuge; 
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
Take it to the Lord in prayer
In His arms He'll take and shield thee; 
Thou wilt find a solace there.

As I typed the words to that hymn they spoke to me more than they ever have while singing the hymn.

The first verse tells us “All our sins and griefs to bear”

We should not be discouraged and we have the best friend anyone could have.

Those words alone spoke volumes of truth and the entire song is one of encouragement and hope.