“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” (Malachi 3:16)
Those who share fellowship with God share fellowship with His people. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another” (1 John 1:7). The Psalmist was happy to be in the company of those who feared God. “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” (Ps. 119:63) Those who fear God live in such a way as to recognize that His eyes are presently upon them and they will answer to Him for all they do. They do not forget God, and God does not forget them.
If there is a gathering that God wants to be a part of it is the gathering of the righteous. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) He is always eavesdropping when those who fear Him are fellowshipping with each other. He is there to encourage, exhort, and comfort. When His people depart from each other they should be inspired and refreshed.
The church shouldn’t meet only once or twice a week. We are to “exhort one another daily.” (Heb. 3:13) We shouldn’t meet only in a building called “the church.” Getting together with one, two, or more should be a common occurrence not limited to a set time and place. Our homes should be sacred spaces into which we invite others to experience the presence of God.
Too often we want to present a picture perfect existence. We keep people at a respectable distance so they won’t see us “warts and all.” We are embarrassed by one thing or another. Only seeing people once a week when we look our “Sunday best” helps us hide our imperfections. There we can conceal our struggles and testify only of our victories as the saints shout their “Hallelujahs.”
But what would God have us speak often to each other? Are we only to share our “mountaintop” experiences? Or should we enlist the prayers and godly counsel of others when we are in a valley? The body is to minister to itself in love. (Eph. 4:16) We are to bear one another’s burdens. We are to be the church, not only having one person minister to us on Sunday, (who often is unaware of our real, daily struggles;) but also have faithful members of the Body know and bear our burdens, who can then impart to us a timely word.
Now, more than ever, we need the company of the saints. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24,25) We need to prioritize fellowship with each other. Talking about politics, sports, and a hundred other things should not be the main topic of conversation. Our lives in and before God should always be on the table. If we are talking about Him, He will be listening in.