Proverbs 10:2 - Shortcuts Don't Work Out

Proverbs 10:2 

Ill-gotten gains do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. 

Message: Shortcuts Don't Work Out

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: At first glance this is an interesting verse that starts with a vice and then a virtue. The vice is "ill-gotten gains" with the KJV translating this as, "Treasures of wickedness." NLT states, "Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life." Something I notice is after verse 1 speaks of a general statement about being wise, the next verse that begins starts the rest of the proverbs by immediately speaking of money. I have read that the subject of money is present very often in the Bible. A quick search yields this statement, "The Bible is packed with over 2,000 scriptures about money, tithing in the Bible, and possessions. That's twice as many Bible verses about money than faith and prayer combined." 

I think of my marriage and one of our chief issues of stress has been over the years the issue of money. Although we have tried to manage it, asking questions about how it was spent, creating budgets, even thinking about how we give and tithe has been a big issue (tension) of our marriage. It also seems like in this country, our appearance of advancement, is often about the money we have. Most of the world struggles with finances and earning and yet in America there seems to be an abundance of jobs because of the right infrastructures. 

I am involved in a ministry speaking to people throughout the world, although I only speak to English speaking people which appear often in Africa and India where the desire and priority to speak English is strong. As I speak to people I discover how hard it is for them accumulate wealth. They struggle with the ability to even meet basic needs. [I have been speaking to a young man of 29 who lives in Nigeria. After spending much time in Lagos and struggling to find work and then his mother dying, he found a way to get a job in Abuja, the capital. However, to do that, he had to bribe individuals to the tune of $600. And this was necessary to get a government job with consistent wages. He started the job in mid-January and currently he is still holding out hope to be paid with having to sustain himself with now the promise of pay starting at the end of April. And yet, not even sure I would call this ill-gotten gains on his part, but for sure on his employer's part.] People are working very hard only to get to what would be considered a very modest standard of living in the United States. 

This proverbs presents a temptation in accumulating wealth - a short cut to acquiring it - "ill-gotten gains." While gains doesn't always mean wealth, I think it infers wealth because of the word profit. For instance, the gain could be cheating in school in order to get a good grade in school or getting recognition at work by mistake resulting in a promotion without saying anything.  

I have an example of an ill-gotten gain in which I was on the losing end of it. It happened around 2004 when we were preparing to move into this house. Someone contacted the church we attended and as the treasurer I was contacted about this person who had a need. I met the person at one of our shopping centers and the person fooled me through his crafty words, appealing to my sense of wanting to be known as a person of faith and trust by getting my ATM card and then taking money out of account at the ATM. And then it ended with him having me give him a gift. But in the process it wasn't just a gift I gave him in withdrawing money for him, but he had used the ATM card to pull out money previously. All-in-all that day he took about $1400 from me. It was ill-gotten gain. It is something that bothered me for some time and haunted me for years that I would be duped in this way. He was a crafty man and knew how to run a scheme to get money from me. I remember calling my friend Bruce to tell him of the faith that I thought I had gained only to realize then the money that I had lost. And then the embarrassment I felt. 

Ill-gotten is contrasted with righteousness. Righteousness is another very interesting word as in the Bible it is a word that seems to have a much wider meaning than how we might use it in the English language. The Apostle Paul uses the word to express the character of God and the way of God that is His standard. As such it is all the good that we want and would hope to acquire. Romans 1:16-17 tells us that the gospel is the righteousness of God. It is our chief desire because it is all that God represents. In a way, to me, it is likened to the holiness of God. Romans 3:22 tells us that this righteousness only comes from faith in God. Romans 4:3 tells us that belief in God is what grants us or through that belief we are credited with righteousness. Romans 5:9 says we are declared righteous by His blood. Blood covers unrighteousness but it is accessed by faith or believing. 

Righteousness is an interesting word in regards to salvation, but in the context of this verse it is contrasted with that which is acquired incorrectly. We are extolled to live in a righteous manner or good manner. And this verse not only infers that righteous living will give us a profit or gain, but that profit or gain will deliver us from death. There is a freedom in living the right way. Righteous living results in a peace. 

Righteousness also includes charity. As such, having wealth or gaining wealth also includes helping those in need. This is so important. For me, this is hard. I know I have a giving heart. I trust people easily and maybe that is why I feel into that issue in 2004 partly. I want to give to those in need, but I also struggle giving too much. Charity is tough because when you give the recipient they expect that gift to be followed by another gift and so forth. But the point of this in general is righteousness or righteous living includes giving. 

In conclusion, I need to be careful how I practice this as well as encourage this and pray that our country and people around me would approach wealth in a way that honors God. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for writing this words and including them and showing me what is important. God, you know people because you created them and you know our ways. We are selfish and yet we need not be. Even with the funds that we have received, we have a responsibility to acquire them correctly and be good stewards as well. Help people everywhere to honor You with their decisions in acquiring wealth. I pray that ill-gotten ways would cease and we would be a people everywhere taking care of our family and basic needs, but also be a people that gives. Help me in this to understand how I am to give - when to help and when to support in other ways. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:1 - The wise and foolish son

Proverbs 10:1 

The proverbs of Solomon, a wise son makes a father glad. But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. 

Message: The wise and foolish son

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: This is a a book that I have wanted to study for a long time, but specifically this section which begins here in verse 1 of Chapter 10 - "The proverbs of Solomon." This section spans from 10:1 to 22:16 and is 375 separate verses on various subjects. Each verse can in a way stand alone. People have said that with 31 chapters in Proverbs, one can read a chapter a day. Maybe that is a good practice and yet within those 31 chapters are so many different messages to ponder and every time I set out on the goal to read a chapter a day I get hung up with all of the different ideas in each chapter. So I wonder instead of studying each one, could I with 375 verses do one a day, taking over a year to complete? In looking at these 375 verses, what will follow is observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.  

The first verse of these proverbs begin with the son. As I read the previous 9 chapters of Proverbs, the son seems to be the focal subject. Chapters 2-7 begin with the phrase, "My son..." and much of the subject matter is a warning of the son to not go astray and often the warning is to stay far away from one's neighbors wife (yet this son does not seem to be married). 

This first proverb expresses the most fundamental relationship and one that is present throughout history - a child's relationship to their father and mother. Note: while this book focuses on the name 'son' in its writings, I don't think the application is only to a son. The male gender is often used as the default term, especially in these ancient times. 

The virtue here is "a wise son makes a father glad" and the vice is attributed to the mother, "a foolish son is a grief to his mother." And yet just as a son also means a daughter, a father can also mean the mother. It is significant though that a father and mother are assumed to both to be a part of a child's life. While this verse is one subject - the actions of a child, contrasting two actions, it seems this verse is a culmination as well of all that this book is speaking about. In order to understand wisdom as well as foolishness a person needs to read the previous chapters. As such, this book, the Bible and its collections of writings are a group of writings that are written for us to make them all a part of our lives. Yes, we highlight and call attention to certain verses over others. But all are meant to be a part of our lives. And I think this verse therefore is a summary verse and understanding its meanings requires us to read on and think about what has already been stated. 

The other thing I see in this verse is our actions are meant to not simply be individualistic, but impacting others. We are relational beings. Yes, there is value in the individual but life is not simply about one person but rather a people. This verse shows the impact a child's actions has on their parents, producing gladness while foolishness produces grief. It is clear that gladness is our goal. It is what we are after. 

This idea of relational creatures and that we are not meant to do things alone and be alone and only please ourselves is a big one. A friend was telling me that so much of today's life is individualistic. People are so concerned of individual's feelings and rights. In the media, we have more and more contests that are focused on individual success rather than a team (e.g. Survivor, American Idol, The Voice, The Floor). Our phones are focused on our own self interest and self enjoyment. So much of life is now focused on individual attainment. But what is significant about this verse is the individual effects others (parents). I think our lives are meant to be relational, affecting others. 

In thinking of this word, wisdom, I read from commentaries that it encompasses a prudent person or one that shows care for the future. There is also an element of virtue. Virtue displays a life of high morals or choosing right over wrong consistently. And then wisdom is defined as a godly person. To be godly I think is to exemplify and be like the One that created us and made us and purposed us to live. As such, we pursue to follow God's commands and conform our thoughts and actions to the standard that God sets for us. As such these attributes are interchangeable. The desire for high morals is spoken of in the Bible. God wants a people that will be faithful to Him and glorify Him. 

Thus, this idea of a wise son makes a father glad shows that a child of God is also meant to make their heavenly father proud. I will never forget when Tyson, my oldest, was playing basketball in a church league (Upwards) in mid-school I believe and he struggled making baskets, but there was one day he went down the court, made a basket and immediately looked back at me in the stands. He wants to make me glad. There was another time with Tyson back at our house on Moon Street in which I got really mad at the kids and he went and quickly drew a picture of us at the Lobos football game we had attended. I was mad and angry over something the kids had done and he wanted to bring to mind a game we had gone to and the good time we had there. He wanted me to be glad. It took a while in my life before I felt that my dad was glad with me and still I struggle at times with it. 

The idea that a foolish son is a grief to his mother is because I think in this instance, the emotion of grief is actually more common to women. My wife is definitely quicker to tears. Grief is anguish or distress and there are occurrences of this in our lives because of the actions of our children. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this verse and all that an be gleaned from it. Thank you for making us relational beings, in need of each other and that our behavior affects others. I thank you for my children who have made me glad many times and in so many ways.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 23 - An Exhortation to Faithfulness

Joshua 23

Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left (verse 6).

Message: An Exhortation to Faithfulness

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Joshua is older now, advanced in years, and he calls all of the leaders of Israel together to speak to them. He speaks of the Lord God and all that God has done for them - fighting for them. Land has been provided for you. Possess it, but also be a people that will "Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left (verse 6)." God has gave these people a lot. He provided them land and rescued them from dangers and in return, the people owe them their life to follow his words throughout their lives. He provides, we respond. People owe it to him. 

He exhorts the people to not associate with the nations and their gods. They are not to serve them or bow down to them. And there is application today for me as well. We are to be a people about Him, loving God and serving Him. It seems like anything that is selfish or for me might be a god today. Entertainment at times I think can be a god, even watching basketball to no end or movies or listening to music. I guess I think of these as gods or idolatry if they start getting in the way of my relationship with God and serving him. The admonishment from Joshua was to not associate with them. But instead "you are to cling to the Lord your God." I like that word -- "cling." It gives an idea of hold on tight or grab a hold of. We cling because it says later, "the Lord your God is He who fights for you (verse 10)." And "love the Lord your God (v. 11)." Then Joshua gives a warning about clinging in the wrong sort of way. Do not go and cling to the nations, intermarry. When we do, the Lord is not near to us to fight for us. 

It seems people simply expect God to bless them no matter what and think they can live their lives however they want. And yet God seems clear here that what we need is to cling to him and serve him. The anger of the Lord is mentioned so it is real and we need to watch out from this anger and stay clear from it. 

Summary: Joshua tells the people as he is aging that they need to cling to the Lord and not serve other gods. God will keep fighting for us as we do this. 

Promise: Let us continue trusting the Lord this day, and let us encourage the generations that follow us to do the same.

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy. You provide for me and bless me in ways I cannot fathom. I don't give you enough credit. Thank you for the setting this land before me and giving it to me. You have been faithful to me. Now, help me to be faithful to you and live in a way that honors you. Forgive me for my sins and getting angry so often. Keep me focused on You o God, relying on You God at all times. Keep me far from idolatry and going after things that are not about You. I want to live in a way that leaves no question as to my allegiance to You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 22 - The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Joshua 22 

Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle. (verse 29)

Message: The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter begins with Joshua summoning the Reubenites and the Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh saying "You have not forsaken your brothers....and now the Lord your God has given you rest." And then now they are to "be very careful to observe the commandments which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep the commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

I appreciate these words. This encouragement that has been provided to God's people everywhere and for all times. God has given us rest and yet we need to be careful to remain obedient to Him, to love Him, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments, holding fast to Him, and serve Him. The reality is God provides us so much. Not as a reward always, like when he gave Israel this land of Canaan. And yet the life of a Christian is one of obedience, but this obedience doesn't earn our way to God, but is needed in life to make us better people and to honor God. We honor God through our good works. 

Then in verse 10, these same individuals build an altar (verse 10), an imposing altar, but then the congregation of the Lord state in verse 16 that this is rebellion against the Lord. The altar is mentioned in verse 19 as being for themselves and in fact it was in the wrong location. Achan is mentioned as a poor example of going his own way, being unfaithful (v 20). Altars need to commemorate our service to the Lord (v. 27). This chapter concludes with the mention that this altar was in fact a proper altar as  "between us that the Lord is God. (verse 30)" 

I like the words of John Gill (1697-1771) on this:

...it was not for sacrifice, but to be a testimony of their being one with their brethren on the other side Jordan, in worship, faith, and fellowship:  

for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God; is the one God, the God of them both, of all Israel, whether on the one or the other side of Jordan; to be worshipped by them in one and the same manner, and their sacrifices to be offered to him on his altar before the tabernacle. 

Summary: Arriving home, the 2 1/2 tribes build an altar, first misunderstood its purpose, then understood as a witness between them and the Lord, on the other side of the Jordan. 

Promise: We should be concerned always for the pure worship of God, according to scripture. 

Prayer: O Holy God, you are faithful and rich in Mercy and compassion. You want me and us to be a people of unity and to worship You in Spirit and Truth. Make us a people holy to You God and I pray our worship upholds and praises You at all times. Work on my heart so that I am obedient to You always, for the right reasons, in the right ways. Thank you for being with me.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 21 - Our Promise-Keeping Lord

Joshua 21

Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. (Verse 45)

Message: Our Promise-Keeping Lord

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter marks a culmination of a promise made to Abraham centuries earlier - Genesis 12:1-9. In verses 6 and 7 it reads, "Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And now in Joshua 21:45 it states, "Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass." From the promise to the conclusion. Unfortunately, in a way, the way Israel gets the land is through domination and many people going to their deaths. God provides for his people Israel. Yet, we submit and surrender to God for his ways are not our ways. Israel would carry out God's commands. One people would receive His promise. One important lesson is that God is on the throne and we submit and surrender to His will. 

Levi did not receive the land provided to the tribes (of the 12 tribes, Joseph was separated into land for his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh). Levi instead ministered in the tabernacle and taught God's law and instead Levi was allotted cities as described in Joshua 21:1-40. Numbers 35:1-8 gives this promise of the cities to the Levites, also includes the cities of refuge spoken of in Joshua 20. 

Numbers 21:1-7 mentions how the Levites received their lands - receiving 13 cities from the tribe of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin; 10 cities from the tribe of Ephraim and Dan and half-tribe of Manasseh, 13 cities from the tribe of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and half-tribe of Manasseh, 12 cities from tribe of Reuben, Gad, Zebulun. 

Joshua 21:43-45 is really an exciting passage. It is quite the culmination of hundreds of years. "The Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give..." "And the Lord gave them rest on every side..." "Not one of the good promises...failed." God is faithful. He is our deliverer. He promises and carries those promises out. He provides rest to His people. And we celebrate the promise keeping God we have. 

Summary: God keeps his promises and comes through on all promises. He never fails and provides land for all the tribes of Israel, culminating here in cities given from each tribe to tribe of Levi. 

Promise: The Christian faith is founded on the promises of God. The Lord keeps His promises. 

Prayer: Praise God. Praise God for your faithfulness and providing land and cities to the tribes of Israel. You are a Great God and the one that never fails to deliver your promises. Only you are praised and adored and you receive all of our thanksgiving. You are faithful. You provide us rest and all that is good. You know what is best for us. The reality is not everyone yields your promises. You do indeed set aside your riches for those you choose. This is life. Forgive us Lord for writing a different way in life and not really understanding these truths. Let us be a people that is always submitting ourselves to You and You alone. And then may we be a people that carries out your tasks, protects people and looks forward to being united with You in heaven and earth for all eternity. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Philippians 2:14-16a - The Danger of Discontent

Philippians 2:14-16a

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life.

Message: The Danger of Discontent

Time: AD 62. One of the 4 prison epistles. 

What the Lord is Saying: This was the message at our church, Hoffmantown, on Sunday, February 14, 2025 by Lamar Morin. I was struck in a way by the simplicity of the message. His premise began with discontent we often feel from social media platforms. He mentions that we are to live without grumbling or disputing and this is on the heels of verse 12 in which Paul says we are to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." This is what is said first and foremost as to how we are to live. 

He mentioned that when adversity comes our way, we tend to blame others or God. We don't fault ourselves or our sin or rejoice even that we are in this trial. Arguing comes from pride or discontent and we are to be about the opposite. Complaining is offensive to God. Wouldn't it be great if people saw this in us - no complaining and grumbling. Wouldn't we stand out everywhere, at home, and at work. In other words we are found to be blameless. We live in such a way that we are found to different from the world. The tragedy is most Christians look the same as non-Christians. The only difference is they go to church. Thus, a walk that doesn't equal their talk. People are watching us. 

I was impressed with this passage. It is a rather simple command from verse 14 and in looking at different translations I see this as do all things without grumbling, disputing, arguing, complaining, murmuring, questioning the providence of God. And we do this and live in this way, "so that you may be God’s children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and shining there like lights in a dark place. For you hold in your hands the very word of life" (J B Phillips translation). There is a great result to this sort of behavior in our life. Once again, I was struck by my attitude at times toward those near me, even my wife and maybe my critical way toward her and her weight. And think about the way I live at work, complaining about things. Instead of praying through tough situations and trusting and encouraging, I model complaining. I am to be different so that people can see a difference. 

I went to an Alexander Maclaren sermon on this passage called "Copies of Jesus." He says, "The ‘murmurings’ are not against men but against God. The ‘disputings’ are not wrangling with others but the division of mind in one’s self-questionings, hesitations, and the like." So while this verse has application to grumblings and complaining in my life, when I do those complaints, I am really complaining against God for his hand of providence in my life. 

Summary: Don't grumble and as a reward I will be show to be a person people admire, all for the glory of God.

Prayer: O God, help me in those states I get in when I am discontent and dissatisfied and thinking that surrounds on me. I don't trust in others and think instead people are tired of me. help me to not listen to those attacks by Satan who convinces me that I am the problem and along the way I am not being effective any longer. O help me father in my daily self-talk to glorify You and not seek my own ways as the best way. Help me to be a team player versus thinking it must always be about me. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 20 - Designating Cities of Refuge

Joshua 20

1 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.

Message: Designating Cities of Refuge

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Well, this is a short chapter of 9 verses. So far in the previous chapters, cities of Canaan have been divided up according to the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Levi did not get land because of their status as priests. Now here is a city of refuge. 

The Lord speaks to designate these cities, according to what was spoken through Moses. Number 35 verse 9 states, "Then the Lord spoke to Moses." About? Verses 11 and 12, "you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial." And specific instructions are given. For those who strike others with iron, stone, wood, with hatred, this person will be put to death, but for those that threw something without enmity, he shall go to the city of refuge. And "he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil." As such, the Law, God's law, protects those that kill others unintentionally. 

This happened here Saturday night. I heard out about it through my work. A bus driver was entering the west on-ramp of the interstate and a bicyclist was heading south and the bus struck the cyclist at around 5:30pm. And the man died as a result of his injuries at the hospital. My friend Bobby called me yesterday to say that the principal at their school gave them an announcement that a father of children at the school had died from a cycling accident the night before. He was a missionary to Africa, here in the states temporarily because his son had been sick and was back here getting the son treatment. He had 6 school aged children, the youngest being twin 4 year old girls. His name was Craig.

Joshua 20:2-3 follows through on this designation of cities. It is interesting as it reads in verse 6, "He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled." The death of the High priest (and the covenant recommences with the inauguration of a new High Priest) served as a sort of atonement to the manslayer, restored to the inheritance which had been forfeited by sin. Thus the high priests death took on a meaning like that of Christ, affording restitution of the offender. 

Interesting. I guess I never thought of it like this. Atonement is like a man dying for murdering someone. And this was laid out in the law of God and is carried out today in our courts. Some believing a man will die for killing another while others think the man is set aside in prison to live the rest of his life. But in each case, a life is atoned for another. In Christ, he has atoned for us, for our sins. We have not murdered, but through our sin before a holy God, our offense results in death. "For the wages of sin is death." We place our faith and hope in the work of Jesus Christ so that we can be restored to fellowship with God in heaven. 

Summary: Cities of refuge are now designated in Canaan as a refuge for those individuals that unintentionally take another person's life. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "When we do not support appropriate penalties for the taking of human life, we show disdain for other people and for the Lord in whose image we are made."

Prayer: O Father, rich in mercy and love. You show me today the seriousness of life and those who take it, even though unintentional in that taking of life, life is still precious. Our law today is kinder to the unintentional crime. Life remains important. There is grace. There is forgiveness, but according to your ways. Thank you for being a God who is over all and specifies truth into our lives. You are holy and sin must be paid for, in all instances. Thank you for the places of refuge you give us - like our church and being with people of God in many different settings. We are sinners in need of grace and in need of restoration. Thank you Jesus for paying for my sin. Let my life be lived to honor you in all things. I also pray for this man, this family that is now victim of this, and their life which has now forever changed - for those children and for the wife - to bring them comfort and hope for the future, for today, for tomorrow. Be their strength when they have no strength to live. Be the God of mercy to this family. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.