It’s interesting as the topic of getting back on track is multi-layered. First, I haven’t been posting here daily as I had been with the excuse that I left my devotional book downstairs. Second, I have a friend who needs to reconcile and realize what is taking place in his family with his kids but will require that he stop the damaging and hurtful behavior and be willing to start over. Third, I have another friend who wants to fight for his marriage and family and is struggling partially due to isolation, partially due to health issues, and partially due to needing to understand where he is and looking at pausing so that he too can start over.
Reminders to help us get back on track
It makes me consider the pointer finger in the five-finger contract, the responsibility finger. When you point 1 finger at others 3 others are pointing back at you. Before I can dig into the others I need to be humbling myself and dealing with my stuff with God.
I need to worship God for who He is and what He’s done for me. I need to be in the Word and allow Him to speak into and over my life so that I can be the husband, the dad, and the man God has created, purposed and planned for me to be. So today I choose to start over and get back on track, I am restarting my devotional posts for dads.
Today’s Devotional:
This year, I am utilizing the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas, applying its teachings specifically in the context of fatherhood. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit DavidJeremiah.org.
Title: A STEADFAST SPIRIT
Verse: Psalms 51:10
'Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.'
Back on track through the Word of God
Let’s be the dads who as we restart or reset turn to God and ask Him to create a clean heart in us to help us from carrying around all the junk, baggage, and chains that have been holding us back and down. Today, let’s be the dads who ask God to renew a right and steadfast spirit within us so that we can be the dads our wives, kids, and world need us to be and become. Let’s be the dads who realize what it means to be steadfast and reflect on how the Bible instructs us to live it out.
Meaning of Steadfast
“Steadfast” means to be firm, unwavering, and resolute. It implies a consistent, reliable, and dedicated approach to something, without giving up or changing course, especially when faced with challenges.
Biblical Perspective on Steadfastness
In Scripture, steadfastness is often linked to faithfulness, endurance, and perseverance. For instance:
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
- James 1:12 (ESV) states, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
These verses emphasize that steadfastness in faith and actions, particularly in challenging times, is crucial to receiving God’s blessings and promises.
Steadfastness in a Godly Father helps us get back on track
A godly father who embodies steadfastness would display:
- Consistency in Faith: He consistently models a life of faith, prayer, and reliance on God, even when circumstances are difficult. He demonstrates unwavering trust in God’s promises and teachings.
- Enduring Love and Support: He shows a steady, unchanging love for his children, reflecting God’s unconditional love. He remains a source of comfort and guidance, regardless of the situation.
- Unwavering Commitment to Family: He is devoted to his role as a father, fulfilling his responsibilities with diligence and care, no matter the personal or external challenges.
- Perseverance in Discipline and Teaching: He maintains a consistent approach to disciplining and teaching his children in the ways of the Lord, not swayed by societal pressures or his own emotions.
- Reliability in Presence: His steadfastness builds trust, helping his children feel safe and loved.
Application
- Daily Prayer and Devotion: A godly father can commit to daily prayer and scripture reading, individually and with his family, to build and maintain his steadfastness in faith.
- Modeling Godly Behavior: By consistently modeling Christ-like behavior in his words and actions, a father teaches his children the importance of steadfast faith.
- Creating a Stable Environment: A father can strive to create a stable and loving home environment, ensuring his children always know they can rely on him, just as he relies on God.
- Endurance in Challenges: When facing difficulties, a steadfast father doesn’t give up or lose hope but trusts in God’s plan and perseveres, teaching his children the value of endurance.
Being steadfast, a father reflects God’s unwavering love and faithfulness, providing a powerful example for his children to follow.
Spending time in God’s Word help us stay on track
Today’s devotional starts with a story about parents needing to keep holding the center pole all night so that the tent would keep standing during a storm. It calls out how the center pole of our faith is the Word of God. We need to be steadfast in our faith by spending time in the Word of God and clinging to God all the time. Remember how the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing?
Know your center to get back on track
Today’s devotional reminds us how “the world we live in will buffet us with winds of temptation, false doctrine, and compromise.” By studying and meditating on God’s Word we can withstand the winds of the storms of life by “remaining true to God and His call on our lives”. Let’s be the dads who spend time in the Word so that we know the truth and that truth sets us free from “temptation, false doctrine, and compromise”. Remember how “when we look to the Word rather than the world, we can be assured that our doctrine will be correct and our faith will be pure.”
If you are off track, get back on track by holding fast to the Word of God
Today’s devotional challenges us as dads to “make it our aim to hold fast to the Word.” Let’s be the dads who choose to “read it daily, and let it pervade our thoughts and actions.” Let’s be the dads who aren’t casual but choose to “consult our Bible in decisions large and small.” “Turn to the Scriptures for insight and wisdom” “in moments of confusion and trials”.
HOLD TIGHT TO THE WORD OF GOD!
“Our strength is shown in the things we stand for. Our weaknesses are shown in the things we fall for.
HUGH A. COWAN
I like your choice of topic. Phil!