The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4).

God is always on time. He seldom is early in our way of thinking. He never is late. His plan and His purpose are always carried out exactly on time. Maggie had driven bus for over twenty years. She was the recipient of many awards citing her on time accomplishments. Sitting behind the wheel of the huge passenger bus, Maggie’s route covered the territory from one state into another. Through the potential of lake effect snow, road construction, twists and turns through some hilly sections, Maggie was faithful and usually on time. One such day would be the exception. It would seem like every obstacle that could be thrown in her way, would happen that day. As she pulled into the terminal area, Maggie picked up the microphone and announced to her passengers that they were now arriving at the downtown Buffalo terminal. She said, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. It is with my apologies that we are arriving forty-five minutes late today. But for those of you who have been watching over my shoulder, you will know that between the weather and other drivers, they interfered with our on time arrival.” A lady seated right behind her leaned forward and said to her, “Honey, only the Lord is always on time.” Maggie thought about that reminder. She remembered reading in her devotions recently about in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son. She smiled and silently said, “Thank you, Lord, for being on time.”

For today: Thank the Lord that He will be on time today in all that He does.

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

Michael received a note in his campus mailbox that he was to report to the professor of Theology. Never had he been summoned to the professor’s office before, and quite frankly, his mind ran quickly over the last several weeks of life on the Bible college campus. He trembled with the questions racing through his mind. “What in the world could I have done?” When he arrived at the office, he sat across the desk from the Theology professor, and Michael’s fears were soon dismissed. “Michael,” said the kind professor, “I know that your wedding is coming up this weekend. I want you to know that I am waving your midterm exam; you are free to leave the campus today rather than tomorrow. May the Lord bless you as you begin this new adventure called marriage.” All the way home Michael thanked the Lord for the privilege of leaving early to return home for the wedding rehearsal. God had blessed his life with a precious mate. He would view her as his companion and the wife of his covenant. I am the Michael, and that wedding rehearsal took place forty-two years ago today.

For today: If the Lord has given you a marriage partner, don’t forget the covenant and the companionship. God wants to orchestrate this in your home.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Yesterday I wrote of Jeremiah’s call into the ministry and his being afraid of the faces of the people. How wonderfully God reminded him that he did not have to be afraid of people whom He would serve (Jeremiah 1:8). Today God gives a wonderful reminder through the prophet Isaiah to those of us who know Him, that God loves us with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness He draws us to Himself. Sally taught the third grade. In her class was a little girl whose home life was obviously very difficult. Her name was Tammy, and she was absolutely convinced that no one would ever love her. Miss Sally would simply not give up as her teacher and as one who deeply cared about her. Finally after months of resisting, Tammy broke down and softly wept at the teacher’s desk. “No one ever has loved me except you,” said the young child to her teacher. “You are so kind and so nice to me even when I’m mean to you.” Those words just caused the heart of the teacher to melt. How very much like the Lord is to us! Even when we do not deserve it, the Lord loves us with an everlasting kindness. How thankful we should be!

For today: Thank the Lord for His lovingkindness. We do not deserve it, but we surely delight in it!

“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:8).

We do not know how old Jeremiah was when the Lord called him into the ministry. Apparently Jeremiah was not very old. In fact, one of the excuses Jeremiah offered to the Lord was his young age. The Lord explained to Jeremiah that his age was not going to keep him from serving. Jeremiah must’ve been terrified because the Lord told him, “Be not afraid of their faces.” The third year Bible college student arrived at the church very early that morning and waited in the parking lot. He was to preach his first sermon for the congregation that was without a pastor. The attractive church building sat nestled in the hills on that beautiful fall morning. The longer he waited, the more nervous he became. As the service began, the young man sat in the front row and asked the Lord again for help. Before he knew it, the deacon was introducing him as the guest speaker, and it was time to go to the platform. Suddenly the wonderful verse from Jeremiah 1:8 came to his mind. As he stepped to the pulpit he opened his Bible, looked up, remembered not to be afraid of their faces, and had a delightful time preaching in the same church that would later call him to become their pastor.

For today: What are you afraid of? Remember, our confidence is not in ourselves. It’s in the Lord!

“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

The book of Isaiah is a tremendous Old Testament writing. Many believers love turning to the book of Isaiah to read the many promises and to cherish once again the reassurance that God gives to His people. Even in the Old Testament period of time, God reached down in tremendous grace to reassure His people of His redemption and possession. To a believer, there are no sweeter words than redemption and possession. What wonderful blessings, joy, and reassurance to know that we belong to Him! As the special music was being beautifully presented, the bridal couple, Jack and Marianna, softly whispered to each other, “Now you belong to me!” The guests could see them whispering and smiled at the obvious joy and love that was being communicated, but only the Lord, the pastor, and each other heard those wonderful words, “Now you belong to me!” The bridal couple had many years ahead to rejoice in that wonderful truth. But a far greater possession was to be realized in the lives of that young couple. They not only belonged to each other; they belonged to the Lord.

For today: Rejoice if you are a Christian! You belong to the Lord!