Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 101: 6 (New Living Translation)

I will search for faithful people
    to be my companions.

Companions can define a person. I choose my companions. I choose my life.

The writer of this 3,000-year-old verse searched for people who were faithful to God the creator to be his companions, to define his life. This is certainly virtuous.

Notice that this person is not hiding behind a wall. This person is not gathering the faithful to hide with him. He is gathering the faithful to strengthen himself.

He then goes out into the world where there are plenty of persons who are unfaithful to God. Perhaps some of these will come into the circle of faithful companions. Perhaps some of these will move into someone else’s circle of faithful companions.

This is part of the tension of the life of a person who is faithful to God. We need faithful companions. We need time with the unfaithful. We need guidance and wisdom.

Please God, grant me guidance and wisdom to live in this tension.