May 9
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“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV)

For most of us, our model for womanhood is our own mother.

There are many praiseworthy attributes in our model woman — whomever she may be (wife, mother, grandmother, sister. . .); and we may debate which attribute is superior to all the others. The book of Proverbs reminds us that a woman who fears the Lord is always worthy of praise.

Today, on the threshold of Mothers’ Day, we have, or will, honor (or remember) women who have earned our praise and gratitude.  Double-up on both when the object of your affection fears the Lord God.  A God-fearing woman is a wise counselor; a faithful friend; a worthy companion; an able helper; and a gift from the Lord. – Luther

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May 8
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“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!’” (2 Kings 5:13, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus does well to guard against the popular temptation to be “heroic,” as in aspiring only to do something “big” for God.  God is not impressed with heroism; but God is impressed with obedience — particularly, obedience in the smallest things.

Naaman (a hero in his own right as a warrior and as the commander of the king’s army), was ready to do the big thing for God. However, he became angry when he was asked to do a menial task toward the same result.

Remember, it pleased God to deploy a youthful novice with a slingshot against Goliath’s sword and the shield; it pleased God to use a little boy’s lunch of fish and bread in the satisfaction of the multitude’s hunger; it pleased God to rely on the simple testimony of common women and men to announce the resurrection of Jesus.

Be ready, always, to do the “small” thing in obedience to God.  – Luther

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May 7
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“So Elisha left him [Elijah] and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” (I Kings 19:21, NIV)

Talk about burning bridges — with style!

As disciples of Jesus, when we are committed to Him, nothing/no one else matters; but it doesn’t give us license to be disrespectful or ungracious to others.

When Elisha received from God the call to become Elijah’s successor, Elisha asked for permission from Elijah to properly bid farewell to his mother and father (verse 20).  That was the respectful thing to do.

Elisha then sacrificed the implements of his former life (the plowing equipment and the oxen) and from them hosted a huge “barbecue” for his neighbors. That was the gracious thing to do.

We may not be able to choose our “calling,” but we are able to choose how we depart. Let us strive to be respectful and gracious in all that we do. – Luther

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