What is desired in a man is loyalty, and a poor person is better than a liar. Proverbs 19:22, TLV
Who Walks with You? Do you have friends—other than a spouse—that seem to share your brain? I have one, which is a blessing. Today’s proverb speaks of a loyal friend with integrity as being a desirable thing. Whether rich or poor, having someone whom you can trust who knows you and you have history with makes life all the more precious.
Who we surround ourselves with will either create an environment for growth, or place stumbling blocks that stunt our growth.
If we have people in our “inner circle” without integrity — someone who knows us and we have history with — we need to be wary. Who we have in that circle must be trustworthy and truthful. Not everyone we love and care for should be in that inner circle where we are safe.
Those in that inner circle should challenge us to be more of who our Heavenly Father created us to be. Not criticize and point out our every flaw.
How About Us?
Are we loyal friends with integrity? Do we encourage loved ones to
walk out their faith and gifts? Walk with them through the mountains and valleys? Learning how to be that type of friend or employee or spouse is a worthy goal — and pleasing to our Father. Yes?
Think More About It
Do we have precious inner circle friends? Are we an inner-circle friend to anyone else?
Until tomorrow, may we be a loyal person with integrity, my friends.
A psalm of David.
ADONAI [LORD}, who may dwell in Your tent?
Who may live on Your holy mountain?
The one who walks with integrity,
who does what is right,
and speaks truth in his heart,
who does not slander with his tongue,
does not wrong his neighbor,
and does not disgrace his friend,
who despises a vile person in his eyes,
but honors those who fear ADONAI,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
and does not change,
who lends his money without usury,
and takes no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15:1-5, TLV
This might seem strange, but when I came across this psalm, I realized that being right about something can sometimes camouflage our own integrity—or lack thereof. What do I mean by this? I guess, we can focus our attention and energy on defending our rightness but give little energy to our sanctification process—keeping promises, doing what we say, honoring others doing their best to follow the LORD, patience, etc., etc., etc.
So, as we lift Israel and her people in prayer, let’s not let it overpower our own faith journey. The things of this world are temporal, those efforts to become more like Yeshua, eternal. God bless you!
