Last week I wrote about choosing your friends wisely. On Saturday morning, I was reminded anew of this importance as I pondered a question a dear friend asked me at Bible study Wednesday night. She literally held up God’s Word to me and shared one thing she’s been praying over me, the subject of which I’ll get to later. “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Prov 27:17) 

In my quiet time with the Lord I was taken to Psalm 19, which first reminded me of the Lord’s perfection by restoring our soul by the washing of His Word. “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.” (Ps 19:7-11)

God’s Word gives us a blueprint of how we are to live our lives in Christ and warns us of error. My friend asked me a simple question and shared with me that she’s been led to pray this over me. The question asked is where and when (I’m paraphrasing) I planned to go back to a church and be part of the body. I had left one church, found another that I loved but it was close to an hour drive. It’s difficult to be part of a body that’s geographically undesirable. God’s Word is clear: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25) My dear friend reminded me that I’m not to be content or to feel at peace in forsaking the assembly of the brethren, and I believe the Lord used her to warn me that I must keep His Word.

The next two verses in Psalm 19 confirmed this for me. “Who can discern his errors? Acquite me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.” (vv 12-13) It is when we are in community that others can point out our errors to which we have become blind, to be deceived by the great deceiver. I must point out here that I intellectually know that God’s Word says that I must be part of the assembly, but I have justified not being in one (my hidden error). But in becoming aware of it again, to not becomes a presumptuous (willful) sin.

I spent the morning listening to podcasts from two different local churches, the second one was suggested to me Wednesday evening by another dear friend. The Lord gave me discernment as the first one seems to be a “name it and claim it prosperity church”. The second one (that I’d never heard of is sound biblical teaching that disciples). Yesterday I went to the second church and saw a friend I didn’t even know went there, and we sat together in service. And people were welcoming, not just a nod or handshake, but people sought me out to welcome me. I felt at home.

Thank You, Lord, for those You put in my life who pray for me, and are obedient to Your prompting to speak Your Word to me, which is life. Thank You for the discernment You provide, for guiding me when I seek You. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness even when I’m not faithful. Thank You for bringing to my attention my hidden sins. Thank You for guiding me to stay on Your vine so that You can keep me from making presumptuous sins; because apart from You I can do nothing. Thank You for showing me what true love is. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.