The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is He which goes over before you” (Deuteronomy 9:3).

The children of Israel had traveled about in the wilderness for forty years. It was time now to move into the Land that God had promised them. There was one challenge before the nation on the move. It was the flooded Jordan River. Close your eyes and imagine hearing the fast-flowing river that humanly was impossible to cross. Now remember the awesome promise of our great and glorious God that He would go over before them! That changes the word “impossible” to “possible” with an exclamation point! Perhaps today there is a situation that seems like a river that is impossible for you to wade through. If you know the Lord as your personal Savior, He goes before and makes a way for you.

For today: In those rivers I think are impossible, help me, Lord, to watch You making my way not only possible but passable.

“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam… And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were about four hundred men” (1 Samuel 22:1-2).

“I’ve never seen such a pitiful bunch of people,” Lloyd said. The diner was crowded, so he tried to keep his voice down as he spoke to the man across the table. “They want me to be the crew chief to that bunch. Of all the crazy ideas! Why, that bunch couldn’t put together a child’s swing set even if I were handing them the pieces!” he said as he shook his head and took another French fry. “Lloyd, I know they’re rough. I know they need a lot of work. But when you go home, I want you to get your Bible out and look up where it speaks about the company that came to King David. I think it was when he was at the cave of Adullam. Look it up and see what the king had to work with. These guys need a good crew chief, and I’m sure hoping you’ll take the job” Tom said. It wasn’t easy for Lloyd, but those became some of the most wonderful years at Plant 55. How about you? Do you think you work with difficult people? Think of David! Make sure today that you are a good and Godly influence in your place of work.

For today: May my life and my work be pleasing to the Lord. He is the One that I must please first and foremost.

“And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah” (2 Chronicles 17:6).

The Lord was blessing Judah because of the deliberate decisions King Jehoshaphat was making. He deliberately chose to serve the Lord God and remove the idols that were found in Judah. When the Bible speaks of his heart being lifted up in the ways of the Lord, it actually means that his heart was growing in delight or being strengthened in God’s ways. This makes me think of Rusty. Rusty was the only Christian on his football team. The rides on the bus to and back from the games were really hard for him. He was surrounded by guys who were very ungodly. One day Pastor Kenward spoke to Rusty about his testimony. “I know you are under a lot of pressure, Rusty. But remember, so was Jehoshaphat. Without being arrogant and mean-spirited, he stood for God in the midst of many pagans. I’ll be praying that God gives you strength as well. We’re in this together, Rusty,” Pastor Kenward said. Rusty never forgot it. The bus rides didn’t suddenly become easy; but he became stronger.

For today: What pagan idolatry do you face today? Remember King Jehoshaphat. Ask God to help your heart to be “lifted up” in God’s ways.

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

Route 57 in Elyria is a four-lane state highway that runs north and south throughout the city. The speed limit on this busy highway is 55 mph. Recently my wife, Karen, and I were traveling southbound. From my rearview mirror I could see a car racing toward us. In and out of traffic on both southbound lanes sped this very impatient driver. Cars were surrounding me, yet this reckless driver gunned his vehicle from lane to lane. Quickly he caught up with us and continued making very dangerous lane changes. Just before his rear bumper cleared my front bumper, he cut into my lane. I hit the brakes and swerved. We missed. Just ahead of me, several more times, unsafely he changed lanes. Drivers in front and behind me made room for this terrible driver. By the way, guess what? Yep! I caught up with him at the next traffic light. All the gunning of the engine, swerving back and forth, and aggressive driving really didn’t get him ahead. Not one single bit. What a great lesson for me in the situations I face. All my fretting and worrying will not get me further ahead. But it surely will keep me busy. May my love for the Lord and patient waiting for Christ be a blessing to those around me!

For today: When patience is the most difficult, it is the most appreciated by everyone around us!

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1).

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Now let’s think about today’s Daily Prescription. Glen remembered the day that he was talking with Samuel, his Jewish friend, about spiritual things. “Samuel, I feel like I owe such a debt of gratitude to you Jewish people. The Lord God revealed Himself to your prophets. The Scriptures came to us from your people. Our Savior was born as a Jewish person. On and on it goes, Samuel.” Looking like he was deep in thought, Samuel replied, “Well, I believe some of what you are saying.” Then with a hardened expression on his face he went on to say, “But don’t start talking about the Savior. I want nothing to do with that. Have a good day, Glen,” and before Glen could say another word, his friend walked off his porch and out of his yard. Glen stood watching him leave. “Oh Lord,” he prayed, “Open Samuel’s understanding. How I pray for Samuel and his friends. My heart’s desire is just like the Apostle Paul’s. How I desire that they would be saved.” With that he turned and walked back into the house where Margaret, Glen’s wife said, “Even though that conversation didn’t last long, a seed of truth was planted.”

For today: Who do you know that is Jewish? Are you praying for their salvation?