Daily devotion

Returning From Lo Debar

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And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9:7 ESV

This verse paints a beautiful picture of the restoration of Mephibosheth, though he is not the focus of the story. Mephibosheth had been hiding in Lo Debar, because He was afraid that King David would want to kill him, since his grandfather, King Saul had tried to kill David. But instead, David remembered his best friend Jonathan, who was Mephibosheth’s father. In that same way, restoration in our lives begins because God promises to forget our sin, when He remembers that Jesus gave His life for us on Calvary.

Because of that friendship, Mephibosheth’s life was completely changed by the kindness of King David. First, David gave Mephibosheth everything that his grandfather King Saul had lost because of his sin. Then, instead of digging up past grievances, David invited Mephibosheth to come live in the palace with him and join him every night at the super table. While many of us admire wealthy and powerful people, few of us are ever invited to live on their estate or sit down and have dinner with them. But God invites us today to come to His house and sit at the table with Him. God is determined to do more than just bless us: He not only wants to be our closest friend, but He also offers to adopt us into His family! But we will never fully receive all that Jesus has in store until we return from our own Lo Debar, come and live in His house, and sit down at the table with Jesus every day for the rest of our life!

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Changes

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Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. Psalm 119:89-90 ESV

If you live in the Northern States you are probably beginning to see the leaves changing their Summer clothes for colorful Fall outfits. While apple cider and pumpkins fill the market shelves, our celebration of the new season is mixed with the melancholy knowledge that Winter is not far away. In our lives it is the same. We eagerly anticipate changes like weddings or the birth of our child; but when that child graduates and sets off on their own, our happiness mixes with tears.

It was no different for Jesus as He lived on earth. The joys and gifts of the Christmas story were quickly followed by Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt. His healing of the sick was followed by Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. But as Jesus hung on the cross and the most difficult hour of change was upon Him, He held onto words that never change. “I thirst;” “Why have you forsaken me?”  and “It is finished.” were all quotes from the Old Testament. Jesus was trusting in God’s unchanging Word, because He knew that in Heaven His Father’s promises would carry Him through death and the grave, to resurrection morning. Unlike Autumn leaves, God’s word never lets us go, but stays attached to the heart of the Father forever. If people or things you once counted on are rapidly changing, hold onto the faithful promises of God. He holds you in the palm of His hand and has promised in both life and death that He will never let you go!

How do we choose at the crossroads?

How Was Your Day?

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“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9 NIV

Sometimes I try to imagine about that day for the young boy. Now I’ve always thought this young fellow was very likely the disciple Mark, so let’s peek in on how his day went. Maybe that morning, he went to his parents asking, “Can I go up to the hillside to listen to Jesus? I’m all caught up with my chores.”

His Dad, who was busy getting ready to head out to work, said, ” It’s all right by me. Go ask your mother.”

Mom, overhearing the conversation sighs, puts her hands on her hips and smiles. “Okay, but no foolishness. Stay with the boys next door, and, don’t forget to take something for lunch. These 5 little loaves and two salted fish should give you enough to share with your friends.”

Now we all know how things happened, but his parents, did not. So, late that evening as Mark walked in the door, the first question they asked was, “So how did your day go? Who did you share your lunch with?”

With the biggest smile of  his life Mark answers with a shout, ” You’re not going to believe it! I could write a book about it!”