Companion: September 30, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30. 2013.

COMPANION

DEFINITION:  

A person who frequently associates with or accompanies another; a comrade; a close friend; a person who has a close personal relationship with another.

SCRIPTURE:

I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:63.

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel.  Philippians 4:3.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

What most people are missing in life is a true companion; someone they can count on and feel a close bond with.

The invasion of electronic devices into our lives has done much to weaken personal relationships. First, there was T.V. Families got engrossed in their favorite T.V. programs and conversation with family and friends was secondary to television. Along with television came the arrival of T.V. dinners. Families ate in front of the television set and no longer gathered around the dining table to eat and converse.

Then along came cell phones and the internet followed by texting. People do not have to talk to anyone face to face any longer. Compared to having a one on one conversation texting is very impersonal. At restaurants today it is common to see people sitting at a table together both on their cell phones and paying very little attention to each other.

Sociological studies show that the American experience of relationship is thinner and weaker than a half-century ago. Americans have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends and neighbors. People seldom have real companions today.

More people live alone than ever before. They have isolated themselves from the real world and created their own little world of fantasy with television and the internet.

For the most part we are living in a very lonely world. When we talk to people, here in America, we find out that many do not have friends that they can count on in their time of loneliness or concern.

Most of you that read these daily devotionals have acquaintances, a few friends but very few companions. Acquaintances are those we meet but possibly do not know very well. Friends are those we know well and have a favorable relationship with. Companions are those we have a close relationship with and spend the most time with. Teenagers say today that these are the ones that we "hang" with. Companions have the same interests and values that you have and this gives you a common bond. A true companion will stand by you and can be counted on for support in times of need.

No matter how self sufficient someone feels we all have a need for a companion. This is why God instituted marriage because He said that man needed a companion. Marriages that put Christ first in their relationships are marriages that have spouses that share a common bond and a companionship based on God's love. This provides a solid foundation for their family. When God is in the marriage the spouses will be true companions.

Our choice of companions has a great influence on our life. That is why the writer of Psalms 119:63 said, "I am a companion of all who fear you and of those who keep your precepts (God's law)." The Psalmist desired to be obedient to God and faithful to keep God's commandments. He saw the importance of choosing the right companions who shared his same desires to love and obey the Lord. The danger for believers who choose close companions who are not believers is that they will be drawn away from their fellowship with the Lord and be enticed to disobey God's commandments. The scripture clearly tells us that we cannot serve two masters. 

Children today look for companions. Parents have the responsibility to lead their children to choose the right companions.  When our children went anywhere without one of us, we made sure that we knew where they were going and with whom they were going. We always encouraged them to go with a trustworthy friend, a companion that would always be there for them. This also gave us assurance as parents that our child would not be alone. The choices of companions can affect one’s lifestyle and standards for a lifetime, so this is a vital challenge for parents with their children, especially in the world we live in today.

Jesus wants to be our companion every day in all of our activities. He does not want us to be alone. With the Lord as our companion He gives us the confidence and boldness to live a life honoring the Lord.

In Philippians 4:3 Paul uses the term "true companion." In another translation it reads "loyal yokefellow." These words describe the close relationship Paul had with the believers in the church at Philippi, and for that reason Paul could call on them. Paul was concerned for the women who had labored with him when he was with them. Now he is hearing that they were having problems so he wanted to alert his true companions in the church to share his concern for these women and help them on Paul's behalf.

Throughout the scriptures we have many illustrations where Jesus and His disciples required believers as true companions to help others in their time of need. This included the widows, the orphans, the homeless, the sick and the needy.

Being a companion is more than just being a daily friend to another person. It is the giving of yourself to meet their needs. As believers we need to be companions to others to show them through our words and actions that Jesus is our companion and will be their COMPANION who is always available to them if they know Him personally. 

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 21:13.

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.

PRAYER:

Thank You for being my COMPANION throughout this day. Give me the confidence to walk the walk and talk the talk honoring You every moment of the day. I ask for Your direction as I lead my children today. May they put their total trust in You and rely on Your COMPANIONSHIP to strengthen them. May Your Holy Spirit guide them and direct them to choose companions that love You.