Personal Devotions: Sonship

Welcome to the first Personal Devotions post for 2011!

I have started to use Youversion on my Blackberry to get back into reading the Word.  Last year I was interacting with the Scripture using the Daily Audio Bible website and community, but in November I couldn’t keep up the momentum… it petered out.  So although I almost made it, I didn’t finish reading the entire Bible last year.  It was becoming a lot to take in all at once – Brian reads from the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Psalms and the Proverbs every single day – as well as gives his own inspired commentary on what was read.  Then he would pray, and there was also be a section where people from the community could call in and ask for prayer, pray for others in the community or give a praise report.

It was  great. But it was a lot to take in as the year progressed and my battle with depression deepened.   So this year, on the advice of a few good friends, I have endeavoured to look for another strategic Bible plan that will ease me back into the reading of the Word.

I had downloaded the Youversion app on my Blackberry for a while, but hadn’t really used it much until I was challenged to read the Word more – specifically the Psalms.  I decided that I would find a short Bible plan using the smartphone.  And this is day two.  I’m reading a Psalm and a Proverb.  that’s’ it.

But today I heard God speak through his word in a way that I have not heard in a while.  I was arrested by Psalm 2:7

I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.

I heard him: YOU ARE MY SON.  I cried out to him, “I have not felt like your son in ages!”  But in spite of what I feel or don’t, his word still rings true to my heart today.

This Scripture naturally makes me think of Romans 8:15 as well

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.”

And looking at Proverbs 2, I was also arrested by the beginning two words: “My son”  The entire chapter spoke to me, but I am picking out the part that I really feel impressed on my heart right now.

¹ My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
³ indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
⁸ for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

I have had so many depressed moods, so much negativity, so much pain – that focusing on the positive was a welcome change.  So here is my devotion for today.

Lord, I have not felt like your son for ages. I can say like the Prodigal, “I am not worthy to be called your son.” But you call me son anyway. Even if I fail.  Even if I fall. Even if I decide that I am still feeling rebellious… all of this time you still call me son, and still seek my heart turning back to you. I ask that you will acknowledge my baby steps, and help me to increase my momentum. Thank you Jesus. AMEN

Six

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Today, my firstborn son is six years old.  Six years ago today, my world changed.  We were no longer two – but three.  I was scared, unsure of how to handle the new responsibility.

I have seen him grow into a compassionate, loving, beautiful son … I am awed by the fact that six years have gone so fast – and I’m looking forward to the  rest of his life!

Son, I want you to know that you mean the world to me. You are handsome, caring, loving, sweet – you shower your mother with gifts and want to do her hair, always telling her how pretty she is and how much she looks like a princess.  (I could learn a thing or two from you, kid!)  I see how protective you are of your brother; a trait I want to see you continue.)  I love your sensitivity, and I want you to learn that big men can and should cry as a result of empathizing with the hurts of others – the Bible says, “Weep with those that weep…”

I felt led to seek out the biblical meaning of ‘six’ and found out that it is the number of man.  Some of the meanings seem to have  negative connotations (the serpent was made on the sixth day, and other stuff…)  but I sense God is trying to say something about your birthday and the significance of six to Him for YOU.

I feel that God is saying that you are in His eyes, a man … in the sense that He knows the end from the beginning, and he called young men from birth to be great leaders.  I hear ‘man after my own heart’ – like King David.  Very many great men in the Bible were called as young men – Josiah was king of Judah at eight years old, and men like Daniel and David and Jeremiah were called into God’s service as teenagers.  I see that God has his hand on you, and is calling you a ‘man after His own heart’ – even at the tender age of six years old!  Continue to press into love, my son.  God’s love shines forth from you as the sun’s rays on a bright summer morning.  You light up a room when you come in.  God wants you to continue to be loving, and caring, and compassionate, and helpful.

On this, your sixth birthday, I want to bless you and publicly declare the admonition I spoke over you when I held you in my arms for the first time, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased!” And I again call you NIKAO ROBERT GIBSON –  The OVERCOMER, with BRIGHT FAME!