November 19, 1998,Thursday

Would you expect a faithful companion to have a

stabilizing effect on your circumstances? Would

you expect to be joyful after accepting counsel

from a friend? Would you expect to be happy and

hopeful after finding a faithful companion that

gave wise counsel and that helped to stabilize

your circumstances?

The Psalmist speaks of the Lord as his Companion

that was with him always--For David says concerning

Him: "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He

is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken" (Acts 2:25).

Although overwhelming circumstances faced David, he

remembered that it actually was God that he faced and

His hand was there to stabilize him.

The Psalmist spoke of the Lord as his Counselor Who

had promised him eternal life--"For You will not leave

my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to

see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of

life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence"

(Acts 2:27-28). The counsel he received to know the

best ways of life filled him with joy.

The Psalmist was happy and hopeful to know his Lord

was with him and that His counsel would always be the

best--"Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was

glad---- Moreover my flesh and spirit also will rest in

hope" (Acts 2:26). The Lord was his Comforter that

would not allow him to lose his hope in this life or

the eternal life to come.

Let us remember who is the God that is always with us. God's

name is Jehová Shammah. He is the God that is our companion.

His fellowship is our joy and confidence. He is our counselor.

When we do not have an answer in difficult times, He gives us

the answer. Jehova Shammah is our comforter. When we are

suffering, He comforts us with with His reassurance. He gives

more grace according to His promise. Lift your hands to Him

and Praise Him today for the fact that He is the God that

is always with us!