Daily Reading: 1 Kings 2
Scripture Focus: I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man. (1 Kings 2.2)
Devotional Thought: Did your mother or father give their final message to you, expressing their desires for you and your future before their passing? If so, are those words still clear in your memory? More than 40 years ago, I was with my father who was in the hospital waiting to go to heart bypass surgery. That surgery was not as common then as it is now. I was alone with him in his room and he said, “If I don’t make it, I’ll see you in heaven.” I have never forgotten those words, after all these years. You can find many heartwarming stories of a father’s final words for their son or daughter, giving their advice for doing the right things, and avoiding the mistakes they may have made.
David said to his son, "Be thou strong, therefore, and show thyself a man” (v. 2, KJV). David knew that Solomon could not be strong or courageous without obedient fellowship with God. A second mark of manhood that David taught Solomon is wisdom. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Prov. 1:7). David taught Solomon to seek wisdom as if it were silver (Prov. 2:1-9). A third mark of manhood is saintliness. A saint is one who lives unto God, and in whom God's will is law. “Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways” (v. 3).
If you have or had an earthly father who offers spiritual guidance, thank God. But, if not, remember that you have a Heavenly Father – a Father to the fatherless (Ps 68:5).
Pastor Dale
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you are a Father to the fatherless. Help me to live according to your wisdom and show myself to be a man or woman of God. In the name of your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.9-16
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Comments