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
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
