The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

Two things are much on my mind today. The older I grow, the more clearly I see these two things. I’m eager to share these with you. But first, let me share a couple of verses that really spoke to me today.

“O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak” (Psalm 6:1-2).

The older I grow, the more I am finding that two things are taking place in my life. (Well actually, there are many wonderful things taking place, but I am thinking just of two today.)

First, the sinfulness of sin is deepening in my mind. I truly believe that the more we learn about our Savior, the more clearly we see just how wretched sin really is. No, I’m not growing cranky. I’m just growing in how I view myself and the world through the lens of Scripture and my walk with the Lord. How holy and righteous He is.

Second, the gloriousness of God’s mercy as well as the mercy offered by others is absolutely wonderful. King David knew that there were many situations in his life in which punishment and chastisement would be fully justified. He also rejoiced in the precious ways that God’s mercy had been experienced. I can so identify with King David’s statement. There are so many situations in which God’s chastening would be justified, and yet I am the recipient of mercy, blessed mercy. How about you? Can you identify with the king and me?

For today: Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy. Please help me to live in such a way as to be a blessing to You and others today.

“When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? (Psalm 8:3-4a).

Gloria was mentioning what a surprise and blessing it was to have her medical doctor personally call her on the phone to check on how she was doing and update her on the latest test. She shared with the ladies in her Bible study, “I know that my medical doctor has a large and expanding practice. He has privileges in three hospitals throughout our region, and yet to my amazement, he took the time to personally call me late in the evening. I couldn’t believe it when I answered the phone and he said, ‘Hi Gloria, this is Dr. Storms.’ That meant so much to me.

But wouldn’t you know it? The next morning I arrived at Psalm 8 in my Bible reading, and I came to the verses that our great Creator God, the same One Who spoke the worlds into existence is mindful of us. How awesome is that?” It was a great illustration of how awesome and compassionate is our great God.

Here’s a challenge for both you and me: Throughout our day, let’s stop and remember that we are very much on His mind. How incredible is that?

Quietly slip into the pastor’s office with me. I must give you this warning. It’s going to be quite a sight. Let me share several wonderful verses with you

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6). “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Ok, let’s slip in now.

He sat sobbing in the pastor’s office holding his head in his hands. It was a pathetic, heart-wrenching sight. “I can’t believe it, Pastor Kenward. I just can’t believe it. I never saw it coming. We had our disagreements. She didn’t like me working nights. She told me that I could choose between my job or her. I tried explaining that I would work on getting a different job, but I couldn’t just up and quit. But she up and left me. I came home this morning, and there was her note telling me she’s gone,” said a very sad and dejected young husband.

The horrible feelings of rejection and abandonment were sinking into his heart and soul. Happily, a few days later, she repented and returned, and with good counsel from the pastor their marriage grew and was restored.

Here’s the point of what I’m writing today. During those few days of feeling alone and abandoned, the young husband learned a little more about the awesome promises of the Lord, “He will not fail you.” “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Later he told the pastor, “If this hadn’t happened, I don’t think I would have come to appreciate as much the wonderful promise of the Lord.”

How about you? How will this play out in your life today? Aren’t you glad that the Lord will never, NEVER leave us, nor will He forsake us? Isn’t it just grand!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Many years ago I had the great privilege of pastoring a dear congregation in the heart of Welch’s Grape country. Little did I realize what a grape farmer did all year long to see the fruit of his labors at harvest. I walked along one cold day when it was snowing very hard. I still remember the bone-chilling day with the grape farmer who explained to me the process of pruning and preparing the branches for the crop that would come. Fruitfulness required much work on the part of the farmer.

Likewise in our spiritual lives, the blessed Holy Spirit is at work to produce His fruit described in these verses. Regularly I ask myself, “How is the fruit of the Spirit showing in my life?” I don’t want to grow old and grumpy (my family doesn’t want me to do this either)! I want the fruit of the Spirit to be consistently demonstrated in my life. How about you?

For today: Don’t be surprised at the work of the Holy Spirit as He carefully prunes away in your life. It will be soon worth it!

I know as soon as you read this verse, a little chorus is going to break out in your mind.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

This little phrase is often quoted and even sometimes sung by believers today. Typically it is quoted to someone who is facing a difficulty ahead such as a root canal, or someone caught in traffic that is crawling because of a snowstorm or some event like that.

Has someone quoted this verse to you as you faced some kind of difficulty? Probably! While this is indeed the day that the Lord has made, and while indeed we can be glad and rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4), this is not the primary application of this verse! This section (Psalm 118:24-26) was actually spoken by the people as the Lord Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9). He announced that the ultimate fulfillment of this statement will take place at His second coming (Matthew 23:39). Every day is a day created by our great God. Great days are ahead for the believer! We can rejoice right now and be glad in that.

Some days are more difficult than others. However, the Lord Jesus is ever faithful. It is a blessing to know that the One Who sees beyond this moment holds His believers in His hand. I will rejoice and be glad in that. Do you know Him?