September 17

Morning

“O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.” — Mark 9:19 BSB

In despair, the poor, disappointed father turned away from the disciples and went to Jesus. His son was in the worst possible condition, and every attempt to help had failed. Yet, the child was soon delivered from the evil one when the father, in faith, obeyed Jesus’ command: “Bring him to Me.”

Your children are a precious gift from God, but they also bring great responsibility and concern. They may bring you immense joy—or deep sorrow. They may be filled with the Spirit of God, or gripped by the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Bible gives us one remedy for all their troubles: “Bring them to Me.”

Oh, that we would spend more time in earnest prayer for our children, even while they are still babes! Sin is already present in them, so let our prayers be aimed at that. We should cry out for our children even before they cry their first breaths in this sinful world. When they are young, we will see evidence of that deaf and mute spirit in them—a spirit that will not pray properly nor listen to God’s voice in their hearts. Yet, Jesus still commands us: “Bring them to Me.” When they grow older, they may wallow in sin and openly rebel against God. When our hearts break over them, we must remember the words of the great Physician: “Bring them to Me.” We must never stop praying for them, not even until their final breath. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.

The Lord sometimes allows His people to be brought to the end of themselves so they may learn how utterly dependent they are on Him. Ungodly children can teach us our powerlessness and drive us to flee to God’s strength, which is a blessing in itself. Whatever need you have today, let it carry you like a swift current to the ocean of divine love! Jesus can quickly turn our sorrow into joy. He delights in comforting us. Let us run to Him while He waits to receive us!

Evening

Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land. — Deut 1:38 BSB

God uses His people to encourage one another. He didn’t send an angel to encourage Joshua when he was about to lead Israel into Canaan. No, He used Moses, not Gabriel. God doesn’t perform unnecessary miracles. If His purpose can be accomplished through ordinary means, He uses them. An angel wouldn’t have been as effective as Moses in encouraging Joshua. A fellow man’s sympathy is more valuable than an angel’s message. An angel, though swift in obeying God’s will, wouldn’t have understood the struggles of the people like Moses did. Moses had walked the hard road, seen the fiery serpents, and led the stubborn people through the wilderness.

We should be glad that God works through people to help others. This creates a bond of brotherhood among us, making us more united as one family, dependent on one another. Brothers and sisters in Christ, take this as a message from God: labor to help others, especially by encouraging them. Speak with kindness to those who are young in faith and struggling with doubts. Lovingly remove the obstacles that lie in their path. When you find even a small spark of grace in someone’s heart, kneel down and fan it into a flame!

Let young believers learn the challenges of the road in due time, but tell them about the strength they can find in God, the certainty of His promises, and the sweetness of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful and lift up those who are discouraged. Offer a word of hope to the weary and help the fearful press on with joy. God encourages you with His promises, Christ encourages you by pointing to the heaven He has won for you, and the Holy Spirit encourages you by working in you to will and act according to His good pleasure. Follow divine wisdom and encourage others, just as tonight’s word instructs you.