In Good Company

“I am a companion of all who [reverently] fear You, And of those who keep and honor Your precepts.”
‭‭PSALM‬ ‭119:63‬ ‭AMP‬‬ http://bible.com/1588/psa.119.63.amp

Today is church day🤗.

Although this scripture found me yesterday, completely isolated in the deer woods, I was having a party about it in my heart-

thinking about all the good company (companions) I have.

Especially on church days.

I realize, as I write this, some of you may not have the same affections for church because of past hurts or for the fear of being unaccepted.

My encouragement to you today, however, is not to let that stop you, from being in good company.

Of course,  there will be people who rub you the wrong way, but don’t let that stop you from the ones who will rub you the right way!

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Even the “dull” people can sharpen you, if you allow it.

It’s usually not the easy, loving people that conform us to Jesus-

It’s the people who need love the most while acting unlovely.

Take,  for instance, the writer of this Psalm, David. The very person he was running from, King Saul, used to be a blessing and friend to Him, someone he should have been able to trust, and yet, hurt Him, even tried to kill him. But,  instead of letting the assault make him bitter, he chose to become better.

He didn’t stop making companions with other people who did genuinely love His God.

I totally get the once bitten, twice shy mentality because I’ve been there.  I’ve been tempted to quit.

Quit church.

Quit family.

Quit people.

But a true friend, that loved me, called after I had missed a few weeks and said, “what’s the deal? You need to get your butt back to church.”

Praise God for good friends like that.

Yes, I realize there are toxic relationships, But most of the time, we get weary and it’s easier just to fly solo than to trust again.

Its hard to get back up when you’ve been pushed down by someone you thought cared, but that’s the enemy’s business to keep you isolated.

“He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.”
‭‭PROVERBS‬ ‭18:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬ http://bible.com/1588/pro.18.1.amp

I know that seems a little harsh, but when you think about it, if God said;

“and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
‭‭HEBREWS‬ ‭10:24-25‬ ‭AMP‬‬ http://bible.com/1588/heb.10.24-25.amp

then our excuses, and many, they are, don’t supersede what His heart has always been towards us-

that we would grow up in a community with companions.

That’s what communion is. Not just a ritual with some crackers and grape juice, but a community of people who celebrate what that cup represents. The Blood and Body of Jesus our Lord who paid for us all.

Think about this, was there not a person of betrayal (Judas) who took the same cup and ate the same bread the night that all the disciples took communion?

There will always be betrayers.

But there will always be Jesus, who showed the disciples what love really meant, by laying down his life for the lives of those He loved.

And He loved them until the end.

Jesus didn’t leave Judas. Judas left Jesus.

Not only do you need community, but community needs you.

You have something to bless the body of Christ with that only you can give. Your like that piece of the puzzle that everyone is looking for.

You may be like, girl, get out of my business. You do you and I’ll do me….

But, I’m just trying to encourage you.

This fight of faith is a lot easier when you have companions in your corner cheering you on.

Even though we may not go to the same church, I’m one of them.

I’m in your corner.

You can do this.

Get back up, and get back in fellowship in a church body where you can grow by the Word, and be sharpened-

all the while you sharpen others.