He (Ahaziah) did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 1 Kings 22:52
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Sometimes it's all in how we're raised. Let me share with you stories about two very different families.
The first family was led by a man who had a notorious reputation for wickedness. People feared him so much he earned the name, "Badman." When he died, his eldest son excelled in wickedness and became even more corrupt than his father. Soon, everybody came to know him by the name, "first son of Badman." Like his father before him, he lived and died in treachery, and no one mourned the loss.
The second family included a police officer, who was upstanding and disdained corruption wherever he encountered it. One morning after family devotions, he summoned his only son and requested the boy slip his feet into his (the father's) sandals. As the family watched, the boy did as requested. Then the father said to him, "Follow in my footsteps, even as I have followed with faith in the footsteps of Jesus Christ our Savior." And with these words, the man died. Today, the man's son has kept faith with his advice and is serving as a volunteer in the ministry here in Nigeria.
The Scripture above tells us King Ahaziah did evil in the sight of God like his father, Ahab, who reigned before him. The truth is, many people miss the mark in life when they follow the path of weakness led by their forbears. Some children, who grow up watching their parents fight, endure verbal abuse or totally distracted by the world, tend to follow in their parents' lifestyle. God not only expects us to live our lives differently but righteously, as we're accountable to Him.
As Christians, we rejoice that through faith in Jesus' atoning work for our salvation we are each a new creation. What better reason is there to be thankful and live our lives honorably and humbly in service to our Lord and Savior?
Peter knew well the individual distinctiveness God gives those who love Him. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
Let us each follow in the footsteps of our gracious Savior who now sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, by Your power set us apart as a holy nation for Your glory now and forevermore. Amen.
Biography of Author:
This devotion was written by a volunteer who works with Lutheran Hour Ministries in Nigeria. Using Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), a voice-mail "Life Line" featuring different life topics, and visits to hospital patients and prison inmates, God's message of love is shared in this West African nation of 130 million.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 33-34 1 Peter 5
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"