Devotion
Show thyself a man
David Jacobs
Two of the earliest memories that I have of my parents involve them giving me advice. First, I remember my parents telling me to "look both ways before crossing the street." I used to walk with my brother to our primary school, and we were quite proud to be able to do it by ourselves. The other piece of advice I remember is "always wear your seatbelt." This good piece of advice from my parents to a young child, and again, it involved me being excited and proud to finally be able to get out of a car seat and use a seat belt on my own.
King David has reached his final days and must choose one of his many sons to be an heir to the throne. His sons have killed each other (2 Samuel 13) and his sons have died in an attempt to overthrow him (2 Samuel 18), so some of David's top choices may have already died. However, he chooses his son Solomon, the son of his wife Bathsheba. Solomon is wise and his father imparts some final words of wisdom: be strong, be a man, and listen to God as he did.
I am not sure how David interpreted his father's message to follow the commandments of God considering he is the son of Bathsheba, the woman that David committed adultery with and then was responsible for the death of her husband, but we can certainly understand that Solomon realizes the responsibility that his father is bestowing upon him. For all of David's faults, he always came to God for counsel. David has always been the character with which I most easily identified in the Bible: he has his good moments, and he has his bad (really, really, bad moments), but he always clings to his relationship with God.
Prayer
The relationship with our natural parents and our Father in Heaven is where we should turn in times of trouble, just as King David did, just as Solomon will do. What advice have your parents given you? More importantly, what advice have you learned from God? Seek his counsel in prayer and you will hear His lessons.
Night Prayer
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Inspiration
When multiple flocks of sheep become blended, there is no need to worry. The good shepherd will call out to his sheep, and they come directly to him because they know his voice and will not confuse it with others. As God's people, we often become mixed up in things of the world. Sin is tempting as we surround ourselves with the wrong crowd; God is always watching and calls us back to the fold. We find Him when we are lost because we know the sound of His voice; it's the only one we've chosen to follow, and we do not confuse it with others.
Prayer
Dear God, when we are lost, we listen for You. Your voice is precious and will guide us back to the fold where we belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Word of God
Frances Taylor
If there's one thing I know about Christians and the Bible, is that there is an ongoing debate about whether it is the word of God or the word of men, and what that means. We all agree that the Bible is the living revealed word of God, but! There are wide differences in how that is interpreted. There are some who believe that every word of the Bible was dictated to someone who wrote it down. For others it is purely men's thoughts. For others, men were inspired by God to write their experience of God. I don't know where you find yourself on this continuum.
For most people who believe that the Bible is inspired either word for word or as guided by God, the Bible tells God's truth. Unfortunately for those of us who speak English, we have to rely the sources we have had over the years as guides to how the Scriptures should be interpreted. I have had many people ask me which translation is correct, but there's no clear answer.
The Bible has been translated ...
Morning Prayer
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Inspiration
Suffering will be a part of our lives as Christians. The New Testament is filled with warnings about the suffering Christians will incur because of their decision to follow Christ and not the ways of the world. Millions of Christians across the world are subjected to torture, isolation, and mockery just because they have chosen to follow Christ. But Christ has also assured us that we will not endure this suffering alone, and a reward lies ahead for all of those who suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that in times of persecution and great tribulations, may you strengthen me and encourage me to keep going on. I also pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who endure great pain and torture for choosing to follow you. May you comfort them in these trying times, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
