And Who Will Be There

Psalm 26

As teenagers make that transition from child to adult parents want to know when they go out for the night or go to some special place like a park or beach (many other places could be named), that one question parents have is "and just who all will be there?" This becomes more of a question when guys and girls are in the mix. One big reason this question is asked is what inflence will be present that might draw the attention and interest of my son or daughter?

Wondering at the different groups of people named in Psalm 26 there was need to review the people Jesus did associate with, such as His choice of disciples and places He was invited during His ministry, dinners? weddings? In this psalm David enumerates people he didn't keep company with or weren't his everyday friends.

If Jesus prayed this psalm as His own prayer then how did that play out in what we read? Let's see, among those He called to be His disciples. He had six fishermen, a rough crowd, argumentative, unruly at times. Then there that tax collector certainly NOT a favorite choice of the others. Then the Zealot He called, also someone the rest were uncertain of his intentions. Then there was the one that everyone trusted with their money, Judas Iscariot. And when we learn of this we are also told that he was a thief. That leaves three others we know nothing of their actual background by reading through Scripture.

And then there was that wedding where we're told He turned the water into the best wine ever. That was in the true traditions of traveling long distances to Jerusalem for bringing their tithe before the Lord and then eatin and drinking that tithe before the Lord in thanksgiving and praise. But then there were the dinner parties with publicans and sinners, even a Pharisee on occasion.

In all these Jesus is seen to be with there would be the proof of His choices in the days and years to come. Even as James talks about in his illustration of Abraham. First Abram believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Then he shows how Abraham proved his faith by his works, and those works were 15-20 years later (Genesis 15 and 22).

By associating with a Samaritan woman, a Syro-Phoencian woman, touching lepers, and having compassion on a woman taken in adultery and another with a long standing issue of blood Jesus never stepped outside where His Father wanted Him to be. The people He called and went to were those who would follow Him. The weren't "right" from the start, but were willing to follow Him, let Him change them.

I will wash mine hands in innocency, O Lord, and compass thine altar, That I may declare with the voice of thanksgiving, and set forth all thy wonderous works. O Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

Psalms 26:6‭-‬8 GNV