The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him” (Psalm 28:7).

Joan had to testify in court as to the events she had witnessed. The incident in question had taken place over three months before the court date. She was terrified that the defense attorney would twist her testimony and that she wouldn’t know how to answer. Joan’s pastor reminded her of the terrifying events in the life of King David. As the Lord helped David, so the Lord would help her as well. As her name was called and she walked to the witness box, she whispered to the Lord, “You’re my strength and my shield. As King David trusted you, I will now trust you as well.” It wasn’t easy. However, on the way out of the courthouse, Joan was filled with joy, and she praised Him all the way to the parking lot. What are you facing right now that requires special help and grace from the Lord. He specializes in that which is too big for us to handle.

For today: What would we ever do without the Lord? Aren’t you glad for His strength in your life today?

“Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth” (Job 40:1-4).

Job had been crushed with the disastrous events that wiped out his business, his wealth, his health, and especially devastated him with the death of his children. His friends came and gave awful advice, blaming him for the tragic events. Job is so confused and broken-hearted. Then God spoke. God revealed Himself as the awesome, sovereign, perfect, majestic God Who makes no mistakes. When God asked Job if he wanted to instruct and reprove Him, Job did what anyone in similar situations should do. He saw his own wretchedness and closed his lips before saying something that he would later regret. While we probably will never suffer to the extent of Job, when we do go through trials in life, we will be wise to be careful what we say in anger and resentment. God is God. He makes no mistakes. He is awesome in everything He does. Our hand over our mouths may at times just be the best exercise we will get all day.

For today: Our God is Almighty, and we are not. May the Lord help me to understand this excellent principle!

“A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).

A powerful commercial shows the wrecked car and sobbing people at a funeral. The simple words appear, “True friends do not let friends drink and drive.” It is a very powerful and thought-provoking commercial. The point of the statement is that friends who really love their friends will want the best for their friends. The Lord Jesus spoke of the sacrifice a person should be willing to make for friends. He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). That was spoken the night before He died on the cross for our sins. What an awesome love the Lord Jesus has for His people. He truly is the amazing Savior and Lord as well as a precious Friend Who loves at all times. May I be as loving and friendly.

For today: How will your love as a friend be demonstrated today?

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

As a pastor I have stood beside a number of dear believers who soon would go Home to be with the Lord. One such dear saint was a precious lady by the name of Edith. Edith told me that she was very frustrated. She whispered, “Pastor, I just can’t wait to see the Lord. I am so ready to go that I tried holding my breath last night. Here, watch!” and she held her breath for a few seconds, only to conclude, “There, I told you it didn’t work!” She folded her arms. “Heaven is so near, but I can’t hurry things up!” she whispered with a twinkle in her eye. It would only be a few days until Edith was indeed Home with the Lord. Her entire life was a testimony to the great change the Lord had made in her life when she trusted Him. What a great way to finish the race! Paul described death for the believer as the taking down of the tent and stepping into Heaven. Do you have this joy and assurance? If not, please take a moment to go to my website www.michaelpeck.org and click the EBook “Heaven” and read more.

For today: Going Home is the joy that awaits those who know the Lord Jesus. Do you know Him?

“Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him” (Psalm 28:6-7).

King David was going through a terrible, terrible time in his life. In his difficulties He sought the Lord and poured out his situation before Him. The LORD was his strength and shield and the source of his trust. In the midst of trials David rejoiced in his Lord. This is just exactly what Sandie told her pastor. “I’ve never experienced such back-to-back trials, Pastor. It seems like before the first trial passes, the next trial comes. Tears filled my eyes as I sat down to read my Bible today. I felt overwhelmed with the magnitude of my trials. I opened at the place where I left my book marker and began reading today in Psalm 28. As I read of the LORD being David’s strength, I again cried out to the Lord and asked Him to help me to trust Him. My crushing burden lifted, and believe it or not, I just sat in His presence and sang of His goodness to me!” Sandie shared. The same can be true of us today. While our problem might not quickly go away, the crushing weight can be replaced with rejoicing in Him.

For today: May our trust in the LORD increase as well as our rejoicing in Him!