November 5, 2023 - Proverbs‬ ‭18:1

“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” Proverbs 18:1 ESV

Lord, I thank you that you created us for fellowship. Even with Adam in the garden who was walking around daily doing life directly with you, you said it wasn’t good for him to be alone. I ask for you to help each of us develop friendships and have communities that encourage us in our walk with you. If we don’t, lead us to a church community that will help us grow in you. We don’t want to be people who break away from sound judgment and wisdom. Help us be the people who seek it out.

Lord, open our eyes to any areas where we have isolated ourselves as a defense mechanism. We don’t want to live like that. That very thing that we use to “protect” ourselves will be what destroys us. We ask for close friendships where we would be able to build each other up. If we have close friendships that are pulling us away from you and your ways, I ask that you show us what needs to change in that relationship. If we need to break off that friendship or the closeness of that friendship, give us wisdom to do that in a loving way.

Lord, I think of the verse that says, “iron sharpens iron”. Let us welcome the rub in our relationships and our communities. We don’t want to be people who run when things get uncomfortable. Help us learn to grow and sharpen each other in a healthy way. No relationship and community are perfect. Give us grace and mercy to walk with others, even when they fail us. And give them the same grace and mercy to walk with us when we fail them. Help us be people who know how to seek out and have mature and healthy relationships.

In Jesus name, amen.