Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 127:1-5
Ps 127:1-5
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves. Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
1 John 3:1-3
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be, has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
For those who wish to have children but have been unable, the cry of Hannah or the anguish of Sarah is understandable. Most couples, in due time, have the desire to become parents, to have children in the family. This is natural and it is such a joy to learn that a child is on the way and even greater joy when it is born!
For some, it is the joy of adoption that thrills their hearts. For whatever reason, the choice has been made to get a child that needs a home and then provide it with love and care. Many of these opportunities have given newborn children a life that they could not have known otherwise, and often a part of this is to be raised by godly parents who will teach these children to love the Lord.
God has chosen us to be his children! He has accepted us into his family, with all the rights, privileges, and love that is due to a natural-born child. We are his and he is our father! This means we wear his name, the name above all names. To be a Christian is the greatest honor we can be given. But with every honor comes a measure of responsibility. We are to live up to his name. We are to show others by our lives that we belong to the Royal family of Jesus our King. We are his children!
O Lord God, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family, to be your child and to know the love you have for me. Increase my faith so I can live up to your expectations and be all you want me to become. Help me remember that all I am (or ever become) is by your grace and not my own doing. As your Spirit works in me, use me to show others your grace, your love, and your forgiveness, even as you have shown it to me. Give me strength to be patient and kind. Be with those who are sick and are asking for your healing. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
