The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in Heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

Heather was eager to get to the bookstore and purchase the books that she would need for this semester of college. These books were very expensive. She received an email from her professor welcoming each of the students to his class. He informed them that the required reading would come from a textbook that must be purchased for this class. The explanation was, “I know it would be easier and far less expensive to purchase used textbooks, but so much has changed since the last printing two years ago. The textbook of two years ago is now fairly obsolete in several of the disciplines. My apologies, but you will be required to purchase the new textbook.” As Heather purchased the new textbook and invested quite a sum of money in the purchase, the thought really struck her concerning the Lord. She whispered to the Lord, “Thank You that Your Word never becomes obsolete. Thank You that Your Word is forever settled in Heaven. Thank You that You do not change Your mind. Thank You that Your Word is up-to-date and will never be changed.”

For today: Thank the Lord with me for His settled Word! It will never be obsolete.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Many years ago when I was the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Marilla, New York, I headed home after a late night of counseling and studying. I decided to take a shortcut home through the church auditorium and out the door nearest to the parsonage. Rather than turn on any lights, I started down the center aisle, tapping the pews and counting them as I went by. I thought surely I knew how many rows of pews were located in that auditorium. Was I in for a surprise! There in the dark I thought I came to the last of the pews. Thus I made a sharp right turn only to discover that there was one more row of pews! Over the back of the pew, down onto the cushion and onto the floor I flew! For a few moments I was stunned, couldn’t catch my breath, and didn’t know what had happened to me. Suddenly I burst out laughing and said to the Lord, “I guess I should have either turned on the lights or double checked my counting, Lord!” You see, friends, if I had turned on the light I would have easily seen that row of pews in the church. Come to think of it, this is the exact same way in life. We may well think that we know exactly the right way to go. But God’s Word will function as a light that will direct our steps. We really need the Lord and the light of His Word.

For today: Have you spent time in the Word? Don’t stumble in the darkness. Read God’s Word!

“For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods” Psalm 96:4.

We use the word “great” very frequently. Be listening to how many times you will use this word over the next two or three days. Probably you will catch yourself smiling and remembering how often you are prone to use this word “great.” When the Bible says that the LORD is great, the Hebrew word for great is gadowl which has the idea of being huge in value, worth, and ability. Our great God is huge in everything that He does. Everything about Him is great! The proper response to the greatness of God is our praise. Isn’t it interesting that it is very easy for us to grumble? But sometimes it is hard to praise! I want to be a Christian who is much more apt to praise than to grumble. I will really need the Lord’s help to do this. How about you?

For today: Let’s ask the Lord to help us to praise Him instead of complaining. He is worthy of our praise!

“And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).

Jeff was holding his little boy on his lap, just before bedtime. Little three years old Matthew was having a hard time settling down and getting ready for bed. Something that had taken place earlier in the day apparently left him frightened at bedtime. He did not want to go to his room. He did not want to get into his bed. He did not want to leave his daddy’s lap! “But Daddy,” Matt said pleadingly, “I don’t want to go to my room. I’m scared!” After reassuring his little boy that Mommy and Daddy were in the house, and that his big brothers and sisters were in the house, and best of all, the Lord Jesus would watch over him, Matthew was on his way to bed. Daddy sat on his bedside and assured him of just how big and strong the Lord Jesus really is. On his way down from Matthew’s bedroom, Jeff prayed quietly that the Lord would settle his little boy down and help him to rest well. As his prayer continued, he said, “And Lord, the very same advice I gave my young boy I need to take for myself. You know how I have been fretting and fearful because of the situation at work. Thank you for the awesome place You hold and the incredible things that You can do. You hold everything together and You are in control. Help my little boy and me to trust you.”

For today: If the Lord can hold the galaxies in place, He can surely take care of you and me. Let’s trust Him!

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).

I love that precious phrase “His dear Son.” It is impossible to adequately describe the tremendous love that our Heavenly Father has for our precious Savior, the Lord Jesus. How can mere mortals describe the awesome love and the glorious relationship that exists from eternity past? You and I as believers in the Lord Jesus have the great privilege of being translated into His glorious kingdom. Do you remember the little chorus that states, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The Angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore!” What a privilege you and I have, to be part of the kingdom belonging to the Son whom the Father calls “dear.” While this truth does not automatically give us an easy day, it does help us to keep things in perspective.

For today: Remember this great truth. If you are a Christian, you are part of a very dear kingdom!