"In Whom I Delight" 7/28/26

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Who was David's delight? The LORD? Yes, the LORD God was David's joy. But this joy in God produced in David another joy. 

"As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight" (Psalm 16:3)

David's love for the LORD had implications for his love for others. His delight was in the company of the saints, the excellent ones, while he refused to have fellowship (close friendship) with those who run after other gods (16:4). Our friends, those we hold close, confide to, and delight in are a reflection of our love (or lack of love) for God. 

This is a necessary lesson in the school of Christ. Our friends shape us, who we make our family shapes us. Perhaps you think, "But I am careful, I know my limits and I never go too far, I would never _________." My friends, do you really think yourself so strong? We are all influenced by the company we keep. 100 years ago J.C. Ryle warned "We are always disposed to catch the ways of those with whom we live; and the more we like them, the stronger does the disposition grow. Without our being aware of it, they influence our tastes and opinions; --we gradually give up what they dislike, and take up what they like, in order to become more close friends with them." Is this not true in our relationships? It is true that we can love someone deeply while hating their destructive and ungodly way of life. Yet experience sadly teaches us that we are more prone to compromise to keep relationships with those we love than to stand apart from their sinful ways. This we must not do if we truly love our friends and family. Scripture likewise teaches us that when we are truly honest about our love for God and His ways, we will not long remain close with those who love the darkness for the darkness cannot abide the light (John 3:19-21, John 15:18-21, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Still we are called to speak the truth with love and gentleness if we love those who are lost in their sins or are in danger for wandering from the truth for who knows if God may grant them repentance.

The question before us: Dear ones, would Christ be welcome among your friends? Consider this carefully and be wise in the friends you choose. If your delight is in God, you will endeavor to keep company with those who love Him also. 

Grace & Peace,

Matt

P.S. The divide between generations is considered insurmountable, especially by the young. But this is not so in the Kingdom of God. Better to befriend an older person who loves the Lord than have a thousand friends who do not honor God or value his kingdom. There is great value in having friends one's own age if one can find those who also love Christ, but where this is not the case, do not trade friendship with peers for the good of your soul. We are a small church, which means we must seek fellowship among those we might not ordinarily spend time with. But this is of great benefit, for God has designed each of us to contribute something to his body and we are fools to neglect God's provision within the community of faith in favor of 'friends our own age'. Do not be like that foolish king Rehoboam who split the kingdom of Israel in two, because he considered the counsel of his peers above that of his father's counselors who were all old men (1 Kings 12:1-20). Likewise, you who are older, do not despise those who are young, but encourage and learn from them also.