ODJ: the privilege of children
November 23, 2011
The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him (v.13).
READ: Psalm 103
Erik Hatzinger confessed to stealing money from several businesses over many months. He seems to be repentant, for when the judge ordered him to pay $13,000 in restitution, Erik informed the judge that he had stolen more and would like to pay it all back.
“That’s the son I raised,” his mother told a reporter. “I’m not surprised he wanted to take responsibility for what he’d done. He really wants to make amends.” Leave it to a parent to find the silver lining in her convict child. Others may have pointed out Erik’s crimes, but she focused on the judge’s comment that her son is the most repentant criminal he’d ever seen.
David, who committed a few crimes of his own, said our God is a compassionate Father who “does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve,” but “He remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:10,14).
John Calvin explained that endless acceptance is the special privilege of children. Slaves work hard to satisfy their master, knowing they might be punished for doing a poor job. “But children, who are more liberally and kindly treated by their fathers, do not fear to present to their fathers their rough and half-done works, and even ones which have some faults, trusting that their obedience and good will are acceptable to their father even if they have not done what he wanted.”
We want to please our Father, but how comforting to know that our best is enough—even when it’s not. If you suffer from the burden of perfectionism, if you put off assignments for fear that they’ll never be good enough, remember that you are God’s child. He might demand perfection from a slave, but all He wants from you is love. —Mike Wittmer
What task or failure is weighing heavily on your heart? How might it help you to remember that you are God’s child?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODB: Are You Listening?
May 28, 2011 READ: Numbers 20:1-13 Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water. —Numbers 20:8 He was frustrated. He was angry. He was tired of being blamed for everything that went wrong. Year after year, he had gotten them through one disaster after another. He was continually interceding on [...]
ODJ: trails
February 27, 2010 I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (v.10). READ: Philippians 1:6-11 During a trip to Israel, I stood in a field just outside of Bethlehem. Some movement to my left revealed a shepherd leading [...]
ODJ: the love song of God
November 6, 2009 The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs (v.17). READ: Zephaniah 3:14-17 I t’s Saturday afternoon at Birkenhead Point, a small park [...]
ODJ: unfulfilled dreams
December 16, 2009 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey (v.24). READ: Romans 15:20-24 Paul needed help. He said that his “ambition has always been to preach the [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米