Your Daily Devotional for August 22, 2007

 

August 22,  2007

 

 

Keeping Integrity at Home

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house."

 

Proverbs 21:5-9

 

 

During his time as a rancher, Theodore Roosevelt and one of his cowpunchers lassoed a maverick steer, lit a fire, and prepared the branding irons. The part of the range they were on was claimed by Gregor Lang, one of Roosevelt's neighbors. According to the cattleman's rule, the steer therefore belonged to Lang.

 

As his cowboy applied the brand, Roosevelt said, "Wait, it should be Lang's brand." "That's all right, boss," said the cowboy. "But you're putting on my brand," Roosevelt said. "That's right," said the man. "Drop that iron," Roosevelt demanded, "and get back to the ranch, and get out. I don't need you anymore. A man who will steal for me will steal from me."

 

As we learned yesterday, integrity is many times not as highly valued as it once was. While the world may shrug at keeping integrity, God desires that we as His children value integrity in our lives. We should not only keep integrity while at work by working hard to glorify God, but we must keep integrity at home as well.

 

One way we keep integrity at home is by making our homes a place of peace. There will be times when we offend someone in our families or times when we get into an argument, but it is God's desire that we seek forgiveness and restore peace when this happens. Romans 12:18 says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." We must make sure there is peace in our families if we wish to keep integrity at home.

 

Our society may not value integrity in the home, but God desires that we make it a priority. We must keep peace in our homes. Many homes are filled with fighting and arguments, but God desires for the home to be a place of rest and recuperation. There may be times of disagreement, but we must not let that spirit rule our homes! We must seek forgiveness when things are not right.

 

We see a good example of someone seeking restitution in Luke 19:8-10, "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Zacchaeus had wronged others, and he knew that if there was going to be peace in his life he needed to get some things right. When we make sure we are right with those in our families, we will have peace and integrity in our homes.

 

Do you have integrity in your home? Is there a sense of peace and love in your family? God desires for our homes to be a place of rest away from the busyness of this life, but there can't be rest if there is no peace. Make sure things are right between you and your family members, and ask God to help keep integrity and peace in your home today.

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 13-15 • Acts 19:21-41

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