June 1st
Read: Psalm 5:11-12; Psalm 11:4-7; Psalm 46:1-3; John 8:12; Col. 3:12-17;
God has established the home, the family as His basic institution here on this earth. It is intended to be for the propagation of the species, the protection of the wife and children, the good of all involved, and a support group in an unfriendly world. God established it for the individual’s good, i.e. growth, physical and mental and spiritual health, worth of self, etc. He established it for society’s good as well. It is a training ground for the behavior which will make or break a society, a culture.
When the home fails through neglect, selfishness, or any other reason, it then becomes a nail in the coffin of the society in which it abides. It has been my observation that most homes founder on the rocks of selfishness, a condition which pervades every inch of the society in which we now live. When one person rates his or her desires, or even needs, above that of the home and family, selfishness becomes an issue which is desperately difficult to overcome and the canker spreads throughout not only the home involved but also the school, the workplace, the sports arena, the church, the whole of society.
Homes are not perfect institutions, because people are not perfect. No matter how we dress up the outside of a person, there is imperfection within. God calls it sin, i.e. “falling short of His glory” (Rom. 6:23) God has made provision for this failing in the human being. He calls it forgiveness. He gave it to us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His death on the
cross and resurrection to life. When the imperfect person does not avail himself of this loving provision called forgiveness, he finds it almost impossible to forgive others. Unforgiveness is a symptom of selfishness and pride. Unforgiveness draws lines which are difficult to cross between relationships. It hardens one’s heart to the idea that one’s own imperfections are part of the problem too. It always lays blame at another’s feet. It is unloving and unkind, therefore it is not of God’s Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). It is not merciful or gracious in any way.
ELOHIM
Oh, Holy One, whose eye doth run
Throughout this errant world,
Whose voice doth speak from mountain peak,
Whose hands the sky unfurled,
Almighty God, Thy feet have trod
These paths that twist and bend;
Oh, where we tread, walk Thou ahead
And all our ways defend.
Oh. Savior dear, remain Thou near
When wicked words are hurled,
When winds blow free upon life’s sea
And angry waves are swirled.
Thou Son of Man, reveal Thy plan
For lives which tear and rend;
Oh, shed Thy light upon our night,
Thou Jesus, Master, Friend.
Come, Spirit, dwell and then impel
The deeds that lie tight-curled
Within each heart, and then impart
Thy pow’r that love, unfurled,
Might spread o’er all and so enthrall
That hardened hearts unbend.
Oh, teach us peace that strife might cease,
That broken bonds might mend.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to remember Your presence is ever with me and in the midst of my family so that we all might honor You in our home.
