Our Excellent Companions

     Companions and character go hand in hand.  You know what a person is like by the company he chooses; and he will be more like them the longer he keeps their company.  “Evil communications corrupt good manners,” on the one hand, and on the other, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”   Our text is the declaration of the Psalmist regarding his companions. He says, “I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.”

     We assess someone’s character by their attitudes and by their actions.  This writer of Psalm 119 zeros in first on the key attitude whereby he will choose his companions.  His friends are those who fear God.  They do not fear God in abject terror or servile timidity.  They “fear” God with the reverential respect and honor due unto the Most Majestic King who is also Our Loving Father. Theirs is the biblical fear that causes them to consider every proposed purpose in life in terms of whether it is the will of and how much it will glorify the God whom they revere.

     The means whereby they determine what attitudes they will adopt or what course of action they will pursue is the Word of God, which is the theme of Psalm 119.  The writer’s chosen companions are those who do not confine their beliefs to mere profession, but rather act in accordance with what God expects of those who fear Him.  According to him, they are those “that keep Thy precepts.”  With those who are ready to receive God’s Word and act upon it, the Psalmist is ready to freely associate.  They may not wear his denominational “dog tag” nor may they in every fine point of theology agree; however, they prove by attitude and action that they are Christ’s.  That makes them excellent companions.

     It is a great morale booster to be able to warmly, encouragingly, consistently associate with those who demonstrate that they fear God and keep His precepts.  They are royal company.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice