The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the enunchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).

This verse has blessed and challenged the hearts of God’s people over the years. Amy didn’t realize how much this verse would mean to her in the days ahead. Graduating from high school two months before, it was now time for her to go to college which was over 1,000 miles from home. As her parents returned to the airport to fly home, a sense of loneliness started to grip her until one of the young ladies in the suite across the hall introduced herself to Amy. Soon each of the young ladies discovered that they both belonged to the Lord. The sinful lives of many students all around them was not a strong pull upon either of the students. Long before they had come to this college, both had “purposed” in their hearts not to defile themselves with the ways of the world. It would not be easy; however, it would be blessed. How will this play out in your life today?

For today: As Daniel “purposed” in his heart to do the right thing, may we as well.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

A young couple sat before the pastor in his church study. Frank began the conversation by saying, “Pastor, we are new to this area. We’ve moved from…” but before he could finish, Lacey interrupted, “Frank, get to the point. He doesn’t care about where we’re from. Tell the preacher what you did.” Frank looked very embarrassed as he started to speak again, “Well, Pastor,” and at that point he again was interrupted by his wife. “Hurry up and tell him, Frank, or I will!” Again Frank tried to talk as he said to the pastor, “I know that we need a local church. I’ve tried to tell Lacey that we…” and that was as far as he could get before Lacey again interrupted and said, “I’ve had it, Pastor. He told me to be quiet and listen, and I told him that I don’t need to hear such a thing!” This conversation with interruptions continued for another ten minutes before the pastor interrupted! Turning in his Bible to James 1:19, he shared with Lacey (and her embarrassed husband) the truths of God’s Word. She interrupted him three times before suddenly it hit her. God’s Word actually told her to be faster in listening and slower in talking. How does this truth affect you?

For today: Slow to listen. Does that describe you?

“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefore to the right hand or to the left” (Joshua 23:6).

Joshua is now coming to the end of his life on earth. The things that are very important upon his heart will be shared with firmness and conviction. He tells the people that if they want to continue courageously, they must be a people that will be “keepers” and “doers”! The Hebrew word for “keep” is shamar (sha-MAR) which means “to guard, observe, and watch.” When he speaks of the word “do,” he uses the Hebrew word asah (a-SA) which means “to accomplish, to produce.” In other words, he tells the people to pay attention to God’s Word and do what He says to do. Our New Testament writer James said, “But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (1:22). What a great reminder for us today.

For today: I want to pay attention to God’s Word and obey it. How about you?

“And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees… and the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the LORD; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:8-9).

Today is Palm Sunday. The services in your local church will be very special indeed. I cannot begin to imagine the crowd that was in Jerusalem. Because it was at the time of the Passover, some have estimated that over two million or more people crowded into the city of Jerusalem. Some people wickedly rejected Him. Some were more interested in protecting their own position. Some were curious about this miracle-working man. Others were certain that this indeed was the Messiah. The crowds stopped what they were doing to watch this one called Jesus Christ ride into the city on the colt, the foal of the donkey. “Hosanna!” they shouted. What a wonderful Savior to Whom we belong. The day is coming when the Jewish people will see this same Lord Jesus returning in power and glory (Revelation 19:11-16). I just can’t wait. Until then, I want to worship Him with a heart that loves Him more and more.

For today: May the Lord richly bless you on this Palm Sunday.

“Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God has cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that He may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 9:4-5).

I’ve been reading through Deuteronomy in my morning Bible reading time. I have loved the Old Testament since I was a very young man. Don’t misunderstand me. I love living in the New Testament era of the church, but I glean so much from reading the entire Bible. There is enough material in these two verses to keep us thinking and learning for a long time. Here are a few things to think about. First, we need to have a right view of ourselves. Second, the Lord possesses everything. When He desires to remove people from prominence, He easily can do this. Third, God is infinitely holy. Wickedness does bring about consequences. Last, God indeed keeps His Word. I don’t know about you, but I need to remember all of these things today.

For today: Pray much for little Israel. God has great things in store for them.