Righteousness Unto Holiness II
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
I Corinthians 15:33 NKJV
14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him…”
Mark 3:14a NKJV
Keeping Good Company
You are the company you keep. This is the same regarding our relationship with the Lord. In this case, keeping company with the Lord provides benefits that weigh more on our side. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose abiding in Christ Jesus and ensuring nothing comes between us. Let us continue as we did yesterday examining Bible saints to glean invaluable lessons for today.
Abraham Kept Good Company
In Genesis 12:1-3 we read how Abram accepted El Shaddai’s (God Almighty) call (appointment) to leave his idol-worshipping family (See Joshua 24:2-3) to a life of unknown spiritual adventure. As we journey on we see several instances providing irrefutable evidence of Abraham in Divine company.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 6:8-10 NKJV
God saved Abram from idolatry and commissioned him for special Kingdom service. We see him in several encounters with El Shaddai:
- In destiny-making conversations
- El Shaddai making a covenant with Him
- In accounts of angelic beings stopping by to visit him.
- In an attempt to negotiate before the Lord God, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah all in a desperate attempt to save his cousin Lot who had become a citizen of the evil twin city.
- We join in the experience of hearing the promise of being a father of many nations despite being childless at the time.
- The Mount Moriah Test
- We experience God’s rebuke at Abraham’s laughter over the thought that God’s promise of a child in old age was a possibility.
We could go on but what more could I say? Adventure after adventure all in the plan of God for Abraham to become a righteous progenitor of Christ Jesus.
As for mistakes, we see his and Sarah’s feverish attempt to circumvent God’s promise and power by having a child (Ishmael) through a surrogate, Sarah’s housemaid called Hagar. Abraham’s repentant heart earned him something amazing. The Lord called him His friend. Read it for yourself:
“But you, Israel, are My servant,
Isaiah 41:8 NKJV
Jacob whom I have chosen,
The descendants of Abraham My friend.
In all of this, we may ask who was Abraham’s primary company? Think about it! Even Lot his nephew abandoned him for greener pastures not too long into the journey. The short answer is that his primary company was The Lord Himself. And what was the result? God brought Abraham into favor with powerful kings. Three hundred and eighteen trained servants were born in his house. Oh my, that’s a sizeable community already not counting the parents of these servants. It reminds me of the promise Jesus gave to the disciples when they were concerned about having left all to follow Him.
28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Luke 18:28-30 NKJV
Do you need to review your company? Are there people God is pointing you towards that you have resisted engaging with because you have existing patterns that are difficult to change? Have you been abandoned by your family because you chose Christ? Be rest assured! The Lord sees it all and is more than sufficient. He is your El Shaddai and can be your friend too. He is waiting. Your move!
Go Deeper for Righteousness Unto Holiness in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Let Us Pray
Enjoy some worship… Host The Presence Of God
Prayer Items
Please use the verses provided below for prayer. We are following the Model Prayer Template
- Psalm 34:1-10. Give thanks to God for the completion of Day 3. Ask for continued strength to complete the fast for yourself and others embarking on this fast. Thank God for His answers in this regard. Give thanks in advance for your answered prayers.
- Philippians 2:13. Praise our Father that He works in us both to will and do of his good pleasure. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable unto Him. Amen!
- Matthew 6:9. Hallow (honor and respect greatly) His name. The Lord revealed Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai meaning All Sufficient or Almighty God. Praise Him within the context of this name today.
- Matthew 6:10, Philippians 2:13. Pray that like Abraham you will know His will and follow His path for you to the best of your ability. Pray that better things that accompany salvation will be formed in and through you in Jesus’ name. Pray like this for your family and others the Lord brings to your attention. Pray specifically that you will receive grace to do righteous acts. Ask for friendship with the Lord: “Lord God in heaven I want to be Your friend.” See John 15:15
- Matthew 6:11, Psalm 34:10. Ask for Provision for you and anyone else on your mind. Ask for provision for the Church of Jesus across your city as well as all who serve in full or part-time Ministry. Pray for your neighbors even if you do not like them. Ask God to reveal Himself to them if they are unsaved. The Lord will be pleased! 🙂
- Matthew 6:12. Forgive anyone who offended you and ask for His cleansing for known and unknown trespasses.
- Matthew 6:13b, Ephesians 6:10-12, Corinthians 10:4-5. Cast down every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God. Break the power of darkness and speak deliverance from satanic powers. Here’s what I am confessing: “Lord thank you for the authority given to me in Jesus’ name. With that authority, I stand to declare victory over every wile of satan in Jesus Mighty Name.”
- Matthew 6:13c, Revelation 4:11, . Praise Him for His Kingdom Power and dominion are forever. Glory Hallelujah!
