The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Thy works” (Psalm 73:28).

Yesterday I shared with you about the young couple in Pastor Kenward’s office. Actually I left you with the husband and wife in Pastor Kenward’s arms as together they cried and wept over the death of yet another of their pre-born babies. Their unsaved acquaintances who did not live for the Lord were able to conceive easily and often. “Why? Why?” The question rang in their ears. After holding them in his arms, Pastor Kenward brought up a chair and sat beside them. He shared with them how difficult it had been for Mrs. Kenward to carry their babies to full-term. They too had experienced multiple miscarriages and heartbreak. He quietly and tenderly shared with them how he and his wife had had to come to the point of learning to draw close to the Lord and intentionally trust Him, and to have confidence in His plan even if they couldn’t understand. He took them to Psalm 73 and slowly worked through it. He brought them several times to our verse for today. As for the young couple, they still were sad, but their hearts were quieted. After about an hour, the pastor prayed with them. The couple hugged their pastor again and left with the determination to intentionally trust the Lord.

For today: What is the situation through which you are traveling today? Draw near to the Lord and trust in Him. You’ll be glad that you did. That’s just what I am doing as well.

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Thy works” (Psalm 73:28).

Wow! Was Asaph ever discouraged. He was fed up with being perplexed over the issue of the unbeliever living so terribly and yet everything seeming to go so well with them. He was perplexed at how much trouble he was experiencing and yet how much he was trying to live for the Lord. It sounds just like an appointment in the counseling center with Pastor Kenward. A couple approaching their late twenties sat across from the later middle-aged Pastor as they both wept in his presence. “Our unsaved acquaintances have two or three children by now, Pastor. They live like the world and have no interest in the Lord. They drink. They go to the clubs where it certainly isn’t very righteous living. Yet they easily conceive and will have as many babies as they want. We’re here this morning because we’re on the way for a sonogram. The doctor thinks we have lost our latest baby. Why, Pastor? Why do our unsaved acquaintances have it so easy and we have it so hard?” The young husband held his wife close as she sobbed. “All I have ever wanted to be after I asked Jesus to be my Savior was a wife and a mommy. Why can’t I be?” she cried. Pastor Kenward wept with them, got up from behind his desk, bent his knee and drew both of them to himself. They cried for nearly fifteen minutes in his arms. “Now, let me talk just a little with you. Nothing I can say will take away your hurt and sorrow. But let me just share. I’ll tell you more about the counseling scene tomorrow.

For today: Your situation might be similar as relating to children. On the other hand, it could be very different. Here’s what will always be the same. Your need to draw near to the Lord and intentionally place your trust in Him will be just like it was with Asaph. How will this play out in your life today?

“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord (Acts 11:22-24).

It could have been a major emergency. The believers heard rumors that Gentiles were being added to the faith. Some must have been thinking, “IMPOSSIBLE!” These rumors were even more complicated by the fact that Peter is reported to be in the middle of the situation. I suspect the “tidings of the things came to the ears of the church” must have been like a tornado swirling with stories and statements for and against the situation. That’s when they turned to Barnabas! Who else could be so trusted to step into a situation where many others would fear to tread. Barnabas! Not only was he trusted to go and explore the situation, he was trusted to be an encouragement. That’s just what I want to be. How about you?

For today: Ask the Lord to help you to be a Barnabas, one who can be trusted and one who will encourage.

“And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel” (Mark 5:20).

I don’t blame him one single bit, do you? We don’t know his name, but we do know a little about him. This was a man in an extremely desperate situation. He was enslaved by demons and lived a wild, wild life. No one could detain him. He broke chains that bound him. He scared people half to death as he ran throughout the mountains wailing and screaming. He did all this until that day that the Lord Jesus came to him. Everything changed. No, I don’t blame this unnamed man who met the Savior and wanted to go with Him, at His side, for the rest of his life. It must have been startling to those nearby when the Lord Jesus would not allow him to come. He sent him home to his friends to tell them what great things that the Lord had done for him. Guess what? He went straight home and “published” how great things Jesus had done for him. We need to be telling others what we know to be true. We don’t need to be gifted speakers, only faithful testifiers.

For today: Let others see the difference that Christ can make in their lives by showing them the difference He is making in your life.

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 1:25).

I love the phrase “God our Savior.” I know that it is in the middle of a thought. The complete expression is tremendous. However, just think of those three precious words “God our Savior.” He set the demands. He paid the price. He makes the provision for salvation through the accomplishment of His Son’s death, the shedding of His blood and His resurrection. He makes the gospel to be understood through His powerful Holy Spirit. He gives the gift of redemption to those who trust Him alone. No wonder Jude speaks of “God our Savior”! I’m going to be praising Him today. How about you?

For today: I am so thankful that I can refer to the Lord as “God my Savior.” Can you say the same thing? If you have any doubts or questions, please go to www.michaelpeck.org and click the title “Heaven.”