May 11
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“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’   He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.'”  (Luke 17: 5-6, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus must resist the temptation to think — as the world is inclined to think — that “more is always better”; or that “big is best.”

One definition of economics is “the allocation of resources.”  In the economy of God, a little boy’s lunch — freely offered — feeds multitudes; and up-armored giants are slain with a sling and a stone.

Today, offer to God’s service whatever it is you already possess.  Our heavenly Father cares not as much for our ability as He does our availability!  – Luther

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May 10
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“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.  They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah.  But David remained in Jerusalem.”  (2 Samuel 11:1, NIV)

In athletics, being in the right position is a key ingredient to success.  In spiritual matters, being in the right position requires obedience and faithfulness.

To this day, scholars debate the reasons why David chose to stay in Jerusalem “at the time when kings go off to war.”  One idea is that David stayed behind because he had able leadership in Joab, and he thought his presence at the battle front was not needed.

However, in those days kings led their men to war — and King David set up himself for a great series of sins, crimes, hurts and humiliations because he was out of position through his disobedience.

We need to consider the possibility that our presence in a situation may be more for our own benefit than for the benefit of others.  They may not need us as much as we need them!

Endeavor to remain “in position” relative to God’s will for you in Christ Jesus by seeking His face through prayer, worship, meditation, Bible reading and study, and fellowship with other disciples.  Attention to these spiritual disciplines will allow you to succeed where David failed.  – Luther

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May 9
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“’Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.  I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’”  (2 Samuel 9:7, NIV)

Conventional wisdom tells us that we ought to invest only in our children and our grandchildren, that they may one day save themselves.  However, God’s wisdom teaches that the good we do for others may, one day, be the salvation of our children and grandchildren.

Such was the case in today’s scripture, where Mephibosheth, the lame-footed son of Jonathan, was rescued by David because of what Jonathan had done for David years before.

Long after you and I have departed this earth, if we have invested our time in the lives of others, blessings will return to our children and grandchildren as surely as the seeds of an apple planted today will bless future generations with shade (shelter) and fruit (food).

Make haste to show kindness also to those who are not in your own household!  – Luther

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