Riverwood Presbyterian Church

Devotion

for the men folk

by Peggy Drinkard

One of my life heroes is Thomas Jonathan Jackson. In fact, he’s the only man whose portrait hangs in my house besides my husband, father, and sons. I read this description of him, sent to a newspaper in the winter of 1861, written by a soldier serving under him in the Stonewall Brigade: “Wherever the voice of our brave and beloved general is heard, we are ready to follow. I have read of the devotion of soldiers to their commanders, but history contains no parallel case of devotion and affection equal to that of the Stonewall Brigade for Major General Jackson. We do not look upon him merely as our commander – do not regard him as a severe disciplinarian, as a politician, as a man seeking popularity – but as a Christian, brave man who appreciates the condition of a common soldier; as a fatherly protector; as one who endures all hardships in common with his followers; who never commands others to face danger without putting himself first in the van…” Jackson was, of course, a deeply devout Christian; a Presbyterian of the strongest Calvinistic bent. That’s the foundation upon which his distinguishing virtues were built. As I read this commentary on his “leadership style”, I thought of my husband, my sons, and the men of Riverwood. I pray for each of them, that whatever field of endeavor they are in, whatever victories they achieve or failures they endure, they will possess similar qualities as men given responsibility for others by God. As they do so, I pray they will earn similar regard by those under their care, and that in our own way, we will possess similar respect and so make their load of responsibility easier to bear and more eagerly assumed.

Devotion

All of Our Days

by Lowell Urban

Why is it that I live as though my days on this earth are unending? I find it so easy to slip into that mindset. As I read Psalm 90 this morning I was humbled and reminded once again that my life is finite and full of trouble (strange that I need a Psalm to remind me that life is full of trouble). The irony of it all is that I am constantly investing in this life of trouble as if it is my eternity. I pour fervent effort into it as though it is the very treasure of contentment that my heart desires. Why am I so easily and repetitively deceived?

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of Your anger, and Your wrath according to the fear of You? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Just think this could be the last thing I ever write. However, since I am an adopted child of God’s then that is good news not bad! If I number my days, if I live this life as the journey rather than the destination, my heart will be wise. God will give me His eyes and His heart so that I may see and feel life from His perspective. What greater treasure could I possibly acquire here.

Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your glorious power to their children.

Give me this perspective all of my days, and I will find contentment and peace on this troublesome, afflicted earth. When I see His love for me in the morning all I can do is rejoice and be glad, even through the misery and evil of this sin torn life. God has unconditional love for me. What a fantastic message for my “prone to wander” heart. I just wish I could live like I really believed it.

Psalm 90 quotes are from the ESV