For wisdom and protection for the family of Joe and Jill Biden including their adult children
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
--Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
Holy God, in Your righteousness, goodness and love, You have called us into families. We thank You for the wisdom of �leaving and cleaving� as we launch from our parents and soon find ourselves launching our own children. We praise You for this rhythm of life and for the blessings You bring through our families.
Today we bring Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden and their adult children before You. We know, Lord, how deeply we are impacted when there are problems or concerns in our families�it can limit our effectiveness and hinder our progress. Please guard and protect this extended family today, Lord, that they will flourish under Your care and love. Guide the Vice President and Dr. Biden as they, in turn, provide counsel and guidance to their adult children, that You may be glorified and honored in their midst. I ask this in Jesus� name, amen.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
"By this concluding sentence he manifestly shows that he does not confine his thoughts to earthly pleasures or comforts; but that the mark at which he aims is fixed in heaven, and to reach this was his great object in all things. It is as if he had said, I do not live for the mere purpose of living, but rather to exercise myself in the fear and service of God, and to make progress daily in all the branches of true godliness."
(Commentary from Heart Aflame: Daily Readings from Calvin on the Psalms)
2 John 4-6
I can't tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed.
John, in these brief epistles, continues to focus on the all-important topic of love. Love is the very nature of God. Love means following God's commands. The most important command is to love God, and the second most important, as stated by Jesus, is to love each other.
How would I rank my "love quotient?" I think I've addressed this issue in previous entries. It is something that I struggle with, yes. But I also believe with all my heart that it is something that the Holy Spirit has been doing a great work on in me. I am finding the ability to love others coming easier, as I grow. I don't know how my friends would rank me on this. Perhaps I need to know. We always have a slightly skewed perception of ourselves, don't we? Then this question: "What is needed for you to grow in your understanding and expression of love to others?" I believe it is a deeper level in intimacy with God. The closer I get to God, the deeper I get with him, the more I will love others.
What would my life look like if I were "diligent in living out the Truth?" I think it would be nothing short of amazing. If we would all be "diligent in living out the Truth," our lives would shine like the stars in the sky. The love of God would be so brilliant in our lives that it would automatically affect everyone around us.
Grace and peace, friends.