Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

DOES GOD HAVE A HEART FOR YOUR FAMILY?

Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. For we are about to destroy this place.” Genesis 19:12

The members of Lot’s family don’t appear to have a deep and abiding relationship with God. Yet, when it’s time for God’s judgment to come upon Sodom, the angels ask Lot to gather all members of his family for salvation. God is invested in families because of the spiritual life of one member. If your heart is heavy over certain ones of your family, you’re not the only one who cares. God does. Why?

1. He loves you. He cares about who you love. He sees every tear you have cried over a son or daughter. He feels the stress you feel over the fractures in your marriage. When your heart aches, His heart aches. You feel alone when you bear the burden of carrying your family in prayer? You are not shouldering this by yourself. Jesus rose again and lives to intercede for each of you. You often despair and think you are the only one praying? You’re not. Jesus is!

2. God made families and He is invested in what He creates. Families didn’t come out of nowhere. God made Adam, then Eve, and invented the marital relationship. Children were born because God made a way for families to be born. The first outcry that reached heaven’s ears came when the first two brothers fought and one killed the other. So broken was the heart of God!

Every single one of us thinks about eternity and it is a wonderfully bittersweet experience. Ah, heaven and being with Jesus. Finally! But then comes the piercing thought of family who might not join us there. God knows. Just as He told Lot to go gather each member of his family, giving them the opportunity to hear of impending doom and to make the choice to leave the city, He will hear our prayers about those we love. He is giving each one (though we may not know about it) many opportunities to be aware of Him and His Son, Jesus. Every seed we have planted is not dormant. It is active – stirred by the Spirit in their consciences and in their memories.

You invite me to bring my burdens to You and leave them. Jesus, I will bring each person in my family, place them in Your lap, and pray while You work! Thank you. Amen.

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org