Selecting Associates

Scripture:
I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    my welfare has no existence outside of You.”
For the holy ones who are in the land,
    they are the majestic ones; in them is all my delight.
Those who chase after other gods,
    their sorrows will be multiplied;
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
    nor lift their names on my lips.
Psalms 16:2-4

Observation: The psalmist (David) discusses the relationship between God and three different people in these three verses. The first is himself. He has a direct relationship with God as his Lord, and places his very existence in God's hands. Second are other believers, in whom David enjoys their company. Finally are non-believers and those who have other gods, and they are contrasted from the first two in both their sorrowful life and the fact David will not associated with them.

By placing himself as a central figure when it comes to relationship with others, David is exhibiting a human trait. Our lives - in our daily actions, and in the narrative in our heads - is primarily about us, even when we place God first. David does this - even though he will discuss his relationships with others, he states he doesn't even exist outside of God. He therefore - in the context of his life - divides everyone as believers whom he delights to be with, or non-believers whom he won't even mention by name.

In this way, David is committing himself to fostering a life with God by surrounding himself with Godly people, while actively disassociating with idolaters and the unfaithful.

Application: Pursuing friendships with exclusively Christians would be difficult for me to do, however it may be what we are instructed to do. At the very least, there is a difference between whom you take council and advice from, and those whom you engage with only socially. Even more difficult would be for me to practice this at work, where I cannot only associated with believers.

I think it is the first of these David is teaching. Jesus even tells us to go into the world - to be salt and light - so therefore total isolation from non-believers is contradictory. However, true friendship with believers only is reasonable. To do this, I likely need to better connect with other believers at my church. I am not a great "friend" of anyone there, which can make me lonely.

Prayer: Lord, please guide me daily in the ways I associated with everyone. Let my friendship be given for your purposes, and let my time be given for your kingdom. Amen.