August 1

Written by Bill Grandi on August 1st, 2019

My title for this devotion is Isolation vs Companionship.

There is a foolish bent many people-especially men-have. They can go it alone. They don’t need anyone. A number of years ago there was a book called The Friendless American Male which focused on that vein of thought: men thinking they don’t need anyone. ‘Course that simply is not true.

We all need someone in our corner. As I was reading I Chronicles this morning, in a list of people which included military leaders, leaders of tribes, David organizing the priests and Levites, and a whole host of other lists, there are three verses I know I have read before (unless I skipped over them… 🙂 ), but saw for the first time today. Here is what it says:

Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army.  [27:32-34]

David had someone serve as counselor for his sons. David himself had a counselor (someone he deferred to).  David had a special and close friend. David was not isolated. He used others to help make decisions. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

It all starts with God (according to that verse in Proverbs). But God also brings people alongside us who lend their expertise-whether it be that of serving as a counselor, a sounding board or someone to bounce ideas off of-or as a friend. No man is to be isolated or to live in a isolated environment.

“Lord, help me to gather around me people with wisdom and character and grace. People who are not ‘Yes’ men, but those who are honest and straightforward. Men who love You more than anyone else. Help me to find wise men to be my counselor and friend.”

 

10 Comments so far ↓

  1. Glynn says:

    Good prayer, Bill.

  2. Ryan S says:

    No doubt we all need this. I second your prayer this morning.

    Amen-

  3. None of us were created to go it alone, Bill. We are hard-wired for companionship, and that’s a good thing. May God bless us with the right people to come into our lives as we travel on our Christian journeys.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      It is a good thing Martha. Sad when people think they can go it alone. Thanks for the comment.

  4. floyd says:

    Good one. I think a lot of us are prone to be isolated.

    I’m better than I used to be, but it’s still a struggle.

    Thanks for sharing this one.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You’re welcome. Being a social person I am much more inclined to being around people. Thanks for the comment Floyd.