Devotion
Renaissance Man
David Jacobs
Music touches me in a way that nothing else does. It has positively impacted my life in many ways, and one story in particular reminds me of these verses.
When I was in my 20s, a good friend of mine slipped and fell off a balcony and died. He was one of the best people I have ever known: kind, intelligent, and funny. Everyone that knew him was devastated. I heard the news as I was heading to the airport to go to Buenos Aires for vacation. I was crushed and didn't want to go, but my entire family was going so we headed to the airport. The vacation was difficult for a couple days; all of us were saddened by this news and weren't in the holiday spirit. One evening, we went to an opera house to hear a piano concert. The pianist was from Buenos Aires, and it was his first concert in his hometown in more than a decade. He played his heart out, giving everything he had for his country mates. My family, each of us, were all incredibly moved by this performance, and after leaving the concert hall, our spirits felt lifted.
Saul had sinned, disobeying God's command and losing his claim to the throne. (1 Samuel 15) He was understandably upset, blaming God, blaming Samuel, and blaming himself. Little does he know that the person that lifts his spirit through music, David, will be the next king. In these verses, David, who the Lord has recently blessed, lifts the dark spirit from Saul by playing the harp for him. I know the feeling that Saul must have felt, being blessed by the power of music.
Prayer
Is there a piece of music, artist, or performance that is especially significant for you? What was going on in your life when it became so important?
Night Prayer
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Inspiration
Christ died for our sins when we were weak and feeble. We did not deserve to be saved and never realized we needed His merciful salvation. This act says something special about God. He knows what we need before we do, and He loves us enough to complete such a selfless act without expecting anything in return. He did not wait around for us to become wiser or more worthy of His grace because His unconditional love is precious, selfless, and pure.
Prayer
Dear God, we are thankful for Your grace and mercy. You saved us before we knew we needed saving, and You love us beyond our understanding. We happily surrender our sinful nature to serve You. We love You because You first loved us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
Rejoice in Your Youth
Frances Taylor
Ecclesiastes is an interesting book to read. The theme seems to be that all is vanity. In this passage the young are advised to remember that God watches over us all and all our actions are subject to his judgment. If you continue reading in chapter 12, you will find that the youth is being warned that he will someday be old with all the infirmities that this will bring. We need to rejoice in every day we are given and not waste them. Don't take your youth for granted and spend them doing evil. How often have you heard someone excuse the young by saying that he is just sowing his wild oats. There really is no such thing. There is no excusing bad behavior because someone is young.
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