April 23 - Sheep Among Wolves

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 27; Psalms 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 We must learn, and help our children to learn,
how to be the influencers instead of the influencees!

Again, there is a common thread in our readings today: David moved his family into enemy territory to escape from Saul (1 Sam. 27), his psalm was a prayer for protection from evil influence (Psa. 141), the last of the genealogies records the generations who survived captivity in Babylon (1 Chr. 9), and Jesus sent His disciples out into inevitable persecution (Mat. 10). Each of these accounts has clear application to us and the world we live in today.

Jan and I just had a discussion with some good friends on the challenges parents face in protecting their children. We now have the perfect storm of immorality coming at us from all sides: from drug pushers targeting younger children, to graphic pornography accessible to anyone at the touch of an iPhone, to public school teachers endorsing homosexuality, to celebrities selling sin as the American Dream. What’s the answer: Christian schools, home schooling, communes, fortresses surrounded by moats infested with crocodiles? How do we keep ourselves and our children safe from evil influence?

The truth is we can’t. We live on a sin-polluted planet and the sooner we learn, and help our children to learn, how to be the influencers instead of the influencees, the better. Jesus said to His disciples, which includes us: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard (10:16,17). We don’t have to be afraid because His Spirit will be with us, even giving us the words to speak when we face persecution (10:19,20).

This truth of God’s presence and protection applies even to our children. There may be setbacks and we may make some serious mistakes, but God is good all the time. We can trust Him, for ourselves and for our children. We may be sheep but we always have the Good Shepherd with us. We must believe like David when we pray: my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety (141:8-10).