Christian Companionship, Pt 1 (Preached by Rev Ivan Foster at Kilskeery YPF, Friday 8th April, 2016) "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts," Ps 119:63. The title of this section of the psalm is "Cheth." This Hebrew word depicts a "fence". The believer lives within a fence. Job 1:8-10. This section of Psalm 119 begins with a strong affirmation of fidelity to God. In the verse 63 the Psalmist shows his allegiance to God in the companions he chooses. What does your companionship tell of your spirituality? Consider firstly, I. THE PSALMIST'S ASSOCIATES "Them that fear thee" & "Them that keep thy precepts" Here is a two-fold description of the true child of God. 1. Them that fear God. All men, at times, have a fear of God but all such fear is not of the same character. A. There is the fear of the slave. Matt 25:24-25. Such was the fear in Adam's heart when he hid from God, Genesis 3:10. Such a fear is one in which the one feared is hated and to escape from him is the highest desire. Obedience to him is by compulsion and constraint. This comes from a wrong view of God supplied by their own depraved and rebellious hearts. B. There is the fear of the devil. James 2:19. 'Tremble' = "To shudder, to be struck with extreme fear, to be horrified." C. There is the fear of the son. This is the fear that is in the heart of the true believer, Jeremiah 32:40. This come from a right view of God, Jeremiah 10:6-7. It makes the Christian duly careful and diligent in the matters of eternity, Phil. 2:12, I Peter 1:17. To be continued.