Golden_Retriever  A strange item from Reuter’s news service, dated April 2, 2007, caught my attention. The story was about an elderly couple who committed suicide together. That tragic story was made even more unusual, though, when police learned the reason for the double suicide. The couple left a note explaining that they could not deal with the death of their 13-year-old dog, “Puppy.” After he died, they held a burial ceremony for him. Then they hosted a wonderful meal for their friends, and afterwards, hung themselves in their bathroom. They had lost their best friend.

   I love dogs, too, so I understand the attachment we can have to them. They are called “Man’s Best Friend” for a reason. It doesn’t matter how good of a person you are, every time you come home, dogs are excited to see you. They give you a hero’s welcome. Who doesn’t like to be treated like that?

   Are they really “Man’s BEST Friend,” though? They are, after all, a lot of trouble to take care of. They have to be walked regularly. Their food and veterinary expenses can be significant, and they don’t live forever.

   As good as dogs can be, God did not intend for them to be our BEST friend. In fact, we are warned not to give more affection to anything more than we give to God Himself. Paul said that the central problem with the human race is that we value what God MADE more than we value God HIMSELF. “For they

[sinful mankind] . . . worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:25).

   When we give more attention to anything other than God, we have life backwards, and it causes a lot of heartache and confusion. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21).

   Where can we find that unfailing friendship that we are all looking for? I have good news!

   The same God who made the universe (see Colossians 1:15-17) became one of us, and He promises to love those who come to Him no matter how bad they are. That amazing friendship begins when we put our complete trust and faith in the One who died for us. Notice that even Abraham was not a friend of God UNTIL he put his faith in God. “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness and [then] he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23). Note that Jesus also put faith ahead of friendship: “Seeing their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you’” (Luke 5:20).

   When we surrender our hearts to Jesus and He becomes our best friend, then we will love Him and want to please Him. Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).

   There are many reasons why God is the best possible friend we could ever have. He is the only friend who is perfect. Not only that, He has promised to never leave us. God is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). God tells His followers, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

   When we turn to Jesus He covers us with His perfect righteousness so that we can be pleasing to a holy God. “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness….” (Isaiah 61:10).

   If you have a dog, I hope you enjoy the companionship that he or she gives you, but I hope your dog is NOT your best friend. Jesus is the best friend you could ever have. Give your heart to Him.