The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22).

Jody was busy memorizing verses for JOY Club which would meet in several days. Her grandfather was listening to her as she practiced the verses. “Grandpa, what does ‘Lamentations’ mean?” Grandpa gave his young granddaughter a hug and said, “Well honey, I don’t suspect you have ever cried hard enough to know what ‘lamentation’ would be. It is such a terrible sadness that Jeremiah felt when his city and temple was destroyed because of the sin of his people. He tried to tell them. But they wouldn’t listen.” Grandpa and granddaughter had a very special time together as they studied God’s Word. Just before Jody’s mom called them to supper, Grandfather reminded Jody of this great spiritual lesson. “Jody girl, just remember this no matter how old you grow. When we choose to sin, we will be sad. When we obey the Lord, we will always be glad we did.” More about Jody and her grandfather’s conversation tomorrow.

For today: That was a very wise Grandpa. May we remember that great spiritual lesson!

“Yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant” (Malachi 2:14).

Malachi wrote to his people about the treacherous way some of the husbands were treating their wives. God hated the treachery of these unfaithful husbands. Malachi wrote in very powerful and pointed ways about the sanctity of marriage. Malachi reminded these husbands that their wives were their companions and the wives of their covenant. Marriage is not a contract with loopholes and ways to get out of it. Marriage is a covenant. This covenant is the pledging of one’s life to another. In marriage the husband and wife pledge to each other their lives. They literally give themselves to each other. It is an exclusive choice. These are not just nice words to say. In fact, they have extra significance to me. On this day, forty-three years ago my bride and I were married. I can tell you very honestly that understanding the covenant and companionship aspect of marriage really works. Even with folks that have two very different personalities, Karen and I long ago became best friends, and we still are today. That’s why it is a joy for me to be writing my next book. The title is “Growing- Staying Best Friends When the Honeymoon’s Over.” If you are married, don’t lose sight of the covenant and companionship God greatly desires for you.

For today: Pray for marriages in America. Strong marriages help to produce strong churches. We surely need this today.

“I will love Thee, O LORD, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust” (Psalm 18:1-2).

Kent came up from the barn and into the mud room of their home. He was an absolute mess. “Your son, Douglas Michael, will be in in a few minutes. Do you remember me telling him not to take the tractor onto the lower field behind your parents’ home?” he asked his wife, Marcia. Before she could answer he said, “That son of ours directly disobeyed me and took the John Deere onto that muddy field. I’ve worked for over an hour to try and get it out. I’m going to have to hire Hunter Wellington to come with his bulldozer and pull it out!” Kent said with a disgusted tone in his voice. Wisely Marcia gave her husband a few moments to cool off just a little before she hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Do you remember the time that you buried my father’s tractor in that same field behind his house? As I recall, my father was not too pleased about having to call the elder Hunter Wellington to come with a bulldozer. As I am thinking about it, I also remember my dad mentioning something about the Lord being his Deliverer on many occasions. If I remember right, he used you, his tractor, and the bulldozer as a great illustration for his Sunday school class on the subject of deliverance!” At that moment Doug appeared at the door to the mud room. Things went a lot better for him than he imagined!

For today: Aren’t you glad that the Lord is our Deliverer?

“In the LORD put I my trust: how say you to my soul, flee as a bird to your mountain?” (Psalm 11:1).

King David lived most of his adult life surrounded by enemies. He knew what it was like to be in harm’s way. He had a wonderful sense to trust God in the most dangerous episodes of his life. The Lord was the security and stability of his life. King David trusted in the Lord and did not fly away as a bird to some distant mountain. Sharon and Sue were talking about the difficulties through which Sharon was traveling. “Honestly, Sue, there are times when I just wish I could be a bird and fly away from all my troubles,” Sharon said to her friend. “I feel like I would do anything I could to just be like a little sparrow that could fly away, far away from all the drama and commotion that is taking place in my life.” Sue quietly listened to her friend. Wisely she did not interrupt her, nor did she reply with glib clichés. After a few moments, Sue tenderly responded by saying, “Sharon, I certainly do not know exactly how you are feeling. I’ve never been through what you are going through right now. But last Sunday my pastor spoke from the 11^th Psalm where David talked about trusting in the Lord and asked why people should say to him, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain,’ in the hard times. If it’s good for the King, it’s good for you too, Sharon.” A moment later Sharon hugged her friend and burst out laughing as she said, “The way things are going for me, if I were a bird and tried to fly away to a mountain, I probably would crash into it!” Bless her heart. How about you? Perhaps you feel the same way Sharon does. If you know the Lord, you really can trust Him in this present situation. He will help you.

For today: Trusting in the Lord does not mean that we will have no problems. It does mean that we will have a great stability and security through Him.

“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices” (Psalm 16:8-9).

Though this Psalm was written by King David, it actually is a Messianic Psalm pointing ahead to the time of the coming of Christ. Not only was this the heart’s desire of King David, it is perfectly fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only One who perfectly set the Lord His God always before Himself. What an awesome Savior He is! Though we will never fulfill this verse perfectly in our humanity, this should not stop us from rejoicing in the blessing and challenge of setting the Lord before ourselves. Have you taken a few moments today to read God’s Word? Do you ever memorize the Bible? How is your prayer life proceeding along? These are some of the ways that we set the Lord before ourselves. The end result is that your heart will be glad and your glory rejoices!

For today: May I be one of those who sets the Lord before myself. May the same be true with you!