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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May 7
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Mothers’ Day

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”  (Exodus 20: 12, NIV)

I recall a lecture by Rabbi Sheftel M. Neuberger, who is based in Baltimore, Maryland, but is known throughout the world as a Hebrew scholar and teacher.  The topic was the Torah, which is commonly known as “The Law of Moses,” and is sometimes a specific reference to the Ten Commandments given Moses by God for the Children of Israel.

The Ten Commandments were given on two tablets of stone: The first five commandments address the relationship between God and man, and the remaining five commandments address the relationship between humans.  Today’s scripture reference is the fifth commandment, and addresses the relationship between a child and his/her parents.  So, why is it on the “God to man relationship” tablet and not the “human to human relationship” tablet?

The Hebrew sages, according to Rabbi Neuberger, said that it is in the “God to man” set because in the procreation of a child, there are three essential participants: The mother; the father; and God.  As scripture declares from the Psalms (in a different context, but applicable nonetheless): “It is God that made us, and not we ourselves.”  The same may be said of the necessity of one’s mother (and father): We did not create ourselves.  We shall forever bear both the visible and invisible characteristics of our parentage.

Mothers’ Day in the U. S. A., the U. K., and Australia hasn’t been around nearly as long as the Torah, but we all do well to set aside a day to honor our respective mother (if  she is still living); and the memory of our mother (if she has died).  Doing so not only honors her, but our God, as well.  – Luther

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May 6
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“But David said to Abishai, ‘Don’t destroy him!  Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?  As surely as the LORD lives,’ he said, ‘the LORD himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.  But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed.  Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.’”  (I Samuel 26:9-11, NIV)

David had many opportunities to “tip the scale” against his nemesis, Saul; but David refused because he recognized that Saul — despite Saul’s wickedness — was still anointed of God.

As disciples of Jesus, we have within us God’s own Holy Spirit.  Furthermore, all people are created in the image and likeness of God.  Therefore, we belong to God — even when we rebel against His authority.

Take care with how you treat others.  Resist opportunities to “tip the scale” against others.  God sees all; and God is faithful to deal with the evil deeds of others in ways that are far above and beyond anything that we might devise.  – Luther

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