Verse of the Day - weekend 6/20

Through the Bible - Esther 1-6, Acts 5:17-6:7

 

Good morning,

Happy Father's Day tomorrow for the "dad's" out there.

We've looked at some of the final words and charges of David before as recorded in different passages and books in the Bible.  For this weekend's verse we'll go to 1 Kings 2.

 

David is on his deathbed , and here charges the new king, the son of his beloved wife Bathsheba, with what would bring him joy and honor.  That his son would show himself a man.

1 Kings 2:2 "I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.   NLT

David, the "man after God's own heart" reveals this heart for God in his desire for his son.  It would not be an uncommon charge, even today, for a man to desire that his son "be a man".  Just what the father would have in mind for his son and how he would go about proving his manhood would in most instances be very different from what David had in mind.

 

David shows that he considers "being a man" to "follow all his (God's) way's" and that this would lead him to be successful in all that he would do.  It is basically saying, follow God and leave the success up to Him, He'll see to it.  David knew of the challenges and difficulties of being a king.  He knew that in order to be successful, that his son would need to "walk with the Lord".

 

How many of you would have that same charge, that same advice for your children this fathers day?  How many of you are living out the Godly example to be able to make that request to your children?

 

A similar request today might be that they "put on the full armor of God" , as found in Ephesians 6:

 

Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.  NLT

For the fathers and son's out there, these words should be taken to heart today and every day, "take courage and be a man", a man after God's own heart.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

David's Final Instructions to Solomon

 

1 Kings 2:1  As the time of King David's death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:

 

2 "I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 3 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. 4 If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, 'If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.'