The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God” (Psalm 18:21).

King David was not being arrogant. He simply told the story of his early life of trusting the Lord and growing in His love more and more. What a high and holy view of God the King possessed! While some people around him apparently were turning away from the Lord, King David was determined that he wanted to intentionally follow God. Lester owned a large business. Today he was absolutely devastated. “This is the worst day of my life,” he thought. His company had been losing money over the last several months. At first, it seemed like small inconsistencies. Lately, the funds were greater and greater that came up missing. After some very good detective work, one of his most trusted employees was caught in the act of embezzlement. As the police came to the company’s office, Clark was arrested and led off in handcuffs. Weeping as he was taken away, Clark saw his employer Lester and said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t keep on in the way I’ve been raised and trained. I’m so sorry.” Returning to what King David said, we’re reminded that he didn’t want to be in the situation with the Lord where he failed in the ways he’d been raised and trained.

For today: I want to keep the ways of the Lord. How about you?

“For the Lord giveth wisdom” (Proverbs 2:6).

Tammy and Dave tucked the triplets into their beds and headed downstairs for a few moments of quietness before retiring for the evening. Both were exhausted as they collapsed on the couch. Putting his arm around his wife, Dave teased her by saying, “What are we going to do when these two-year-old girls become teenagers?” His wife, without missing a beat said, “I don’t know about you, but I am moving to Florida.” They both laughed and concluded their evening by praying and asking the Lord to give them the wisdom that they needed right now to raise their little girls and trusting Him for the wisdom they would need when these girls became teenagers. Your situation may be very different. However, you still need wisdom from the Lord for whatever you are facing.

For today: Ask the Lord for wisdom. He has plenty and loves to give it to those who will ask.

“I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart” (Psalm 9:1).

Have you ever watched anyone doing something half-heartedly? Shirley has. Shirley is a study hall teacher hired by the district to oversee the students serving an in-school detention. On many occasions she watched students who didn’t want to be there doing things they didn’t want to do for reasons they didn’t want to think of. Their looks were those of being anything other than “wholehearted”! It finally hit her one day. She made a resolution to the Lord that she didn’t want to live for Him in the same way that some of her students were serving their detentions. She smiled to herself, wondering if she ever appeared that way to the Lord.

For today: The LORD is awesome and worthy of our wholehearted praise!

“For Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee” (Psalm 9:10).

What a wonderful promise God gives to His people! He will never forsake those who seek Him. Sammy was devastated. He came home to an empty house with a note from his wife. It was short, cruel, and in a few simple lines, his life suddenly changed. “I’m leaving. Don’t try to follow me.” It was like his world came to a sudden, crashing end. Sammy didn’t trust anyone for many years until the day came when he met the Lord Jesus. Life was still hard; however, he now belonged to the One who would never forsake him. What great blessings were his!

For today: Have you thanked the Lord today for the promise that He will never forsake you?

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

He turned the page on the newspaper he was reading and glanced upward to look out the window. Marvin spotted his neighbor across the street struggling as she was trying to carry a heavy bag of salt for her water treatment. Throwing the paper in the air, Marvin rushed out the door as he called to her, “Ruth, Ruth, drop it, drop it, drop it!” but she didn’t hear him. Running to her side, he quickly took the bag of salt, and she gladly transferred it over to him. A few moments later as he returned home this verse came to his mind. “That is just what I need to do with my heavy burdens and cares,” Marvin thought to himself. He whispered, “Lord, I am so glad that I can cast all my cares upon You! Thank you for caring for me.”

For today: You don’t have to carry your burdens all by yourself!