Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Devotion 3.29.17

Hope - Psalm 5

Our great-nephew turned one this month, and there was the customary celebration for him at his parent's house here in Lubbock.  There was an abundance of family and friends at the festivities - great-grandparents, grand-parents, aunts and uncles, brother and sister to the parents, cousins, friends, and others.  There were children playing as the adults sat around and talked to one another, and then there was the opening of gifts.  One gift was a Tonka dump truck, made mostly of steel, which every man in the room made some sound of approval when it was opened regardless of age.  We could all identify and maybe even the boy in all of us envied the one-year-old's new toy.

There was one activity for him that was interesting.  The adults in the room were given two handouts.  One had prompts on it, and we were supposed to write what our guesses were as to things, such as the college major he might pick, what he may be doing at that age, little things he should know about his parents, and what he should know about me (the writer of the "predictions").  The other card was called "Prayers for...."  What would we pray for the toddler as he grows?

What would you pray for someone yet to be out of diapers as they grow and mature?  My prayer would be one of "hope."  That simple.  A hope for opportunity in life much like the generations, in this country specifically, before him have enjoyed.  A prayer for hope in his calling in life, regardless of what that vocation may be.  A prayer of hope in his faith as it grows and matures and blossoms.  Of course, there is that part of the word "hope" that also conveys desires about the world he will live in, a hope for a better world but also the reality of a sin-filled world and all the issues that will be the issues of his day. So perhaps a hope for successful navigation in the worldly events as a citizen of two kingdoms:  heaven and earth.

"But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.  I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.  Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.  But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.  For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as a shield." (Psalm 5:7-8; 11 - 12)

Our prayer for this young boy and all like him is simple, one of hope.  Our prayer is that we keep our God in front of us and that we worship our God, that he lead us in his Word to make our paths straight, and that he and others learn to go to Christ to take refuge in Him, the true source of strength and hope. 

Hope Men's Ministry


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