December 7 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

¹For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
²But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
³For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
⁴But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
⁵For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
⁶Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
⁷But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
⁸So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
⁹For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
¹⁰Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
¹¹As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
¹²That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Devotional:

Paul says that he and his colleagues had cared for the Thessalonians as gently as 'a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children' (2:7 NASB). God has placed in the mother-heart a tender concern for her young, even a fierce protective concern that is specially evident in times when danger threatens. In the last day, we are told, there is to be expected a lack of natural affection. When we read of desertion, child-beating, abortion, we know that we are in the last days. Even among mothers who are horrified at these deeds, however, there may be a self-interest that belies the plan of God for the care of little children. Is the mother who seeks employment outside the home unnecessarily, leaving her children to baby-sitters, tenderly caring for them?

'... You know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children' (2:11 NASB). Paul goes on to describe further how he and his colleagues dealt with the Thessalonians. Christian fathers are so to deal with their own children. We are reminded of the words of Psalm 103:13,14 in this connection: 'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.' Fathers are to remember that their children, like themselves, are dust and that they are born in sin. Fathers are to take the frailties of their children into account, showing patience along with firmness, and being ever so careful not to require more than the child can be expected to give!

Mother, how much do you care for your little children, for their souls as well as their bodies? Fathers, do you really try to put yourselves in the place of your children? How much encouragement do you give them? Do you urge them to live lives worthy of God? Or do you leave these tender functions to your wives? What is the depth and quality of your concern for your children?