Devotions From the Pen of Dr. W. A. Dillard by W.A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE ROCK

In various contexts, rocks play a sizable role in the life of country boys. As a child in the WWII era, most of our area roads were topped off with crushed rock. They were excellent in size for a slingshot instrument commonly referred to as a “Bean-flip” A handful or two in each front pocket helped to wear out jeans, but always ready ammunition to trophy a sparrow, squirrel, wasp nest, or snake. Crushed rock seldom flew true due to erratic shapes, but now and then when hitting a target was deemed highly desirable, a marble could be substituted which would unfailingly fly straight to the target.

Washed rocks were seldom used due to the difficulty of collecting them and their lack of stability. However, they were plentiful around sandbars in creek beds.I found a rock that was smooth, had a slight indentation that just fit the thumb and dubbed it “My lucky rock.” Mom would often find it in my jeans on washday and inquired about it. She must have thought it cute because it went missing one day after several months of my close protection of it. Then, it was forgotten.

Now, I am an old man. Mom died over a quarter century ago. A couple of boxes of things accrued to me that my siblings would not take.They were placed in the attic.

The other day, it was time to clear the attic because of the continuing difficulty of simply getting up there. It was then that those old boxes of mom’s stuff were re-discovered and examined. Upon opening one of them I stared in unbelief. There was my lucky rock, the whole idea of which she cherished and placed it among her keepsakes. Who could have told me that a common washed creek rock would carry with it joy and a springboard into cherished memories of childhood triumphs.

It reminded me that rocks are still important, especially a private, blessed rock, which I enjoy as do many others. David said in 2 Samuel 2:22, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.” Our rock is Christ upon whom His church is built, and who remains a fortress, high tower and rock of protection through the ages to all who trust in Him. He is that Rock that cleft for me. Then to the Rock let me fly, to the Rock that is higher than I. “Amen, and so mote it be!”

FOR THOUGHT: A rock is thought of as ammunition. What is your spiritual ammunition? A rock is thought of as protection. What is your ultimate protection? A rock is thought of as enduring. What are you trusting, depending on, to endure? If your answer to all the questions is not Jesus and His eternal Word, when do you intend to rectify your answer?

THE SALT SHAKER AND THE BIRD

Solomon said, “Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.” Prov. 1:17. This verse of scripture brings a childhood story so vividly to mind. It goes like this: as a very young lad, I spent a lot of time with my paternal grandfather who lived next door. (There were a couple of vegetable gardens between the houses) Grandpa observed me attempting in vain to catch a bird. He told me to take his salt shaker and sprinkle some salt on the bird’s tail, and I could catch it with ease. So, I chased the bird with the salt shaker until I tired of it then declared to grandpa that the bird could see the salt shaker, besides that, if I could get close enough to sprinkle salt on his tail, I could catch it without the salt shaker. He smiled a really big, approving smile! I learned that some things are unerringly true in spite of what may appear as true on the unthoughtful surface. To impart such wisdom and instruction that looks far beyond the surface of things was the burden of King Solomon as he penned the awesome book of Proverbs.

The young and inexperienced are taught to be wary of the ways of pseudo-friends whose purpose is to deceive and to destroy. Those who entice others to do evil are not friends at all, but extremely selfish fiends who could care less for the well-being of those whom they entice.Such is the deceitfulness of Satan and his emissaries. The Apostle Paul exposes those whose purpose it is to deceive and destroy in the spiritual realm in 2 Cor. 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

The salt shaker and the bird is a great lesson for the very young, but greater and more important lessons of the spiritual nature remain underscored for all in the age of accountability.

If men could achieve righteousness on their own, Christ died in vain. But they cannot. Now just how plainly do you understand God’s Word vs man’s sinful way? “Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird!”

FOR THOUGHT: Has it occurred to you that Satan’s biggest business is deceit through religion? Could you expect any less from the supernatural counterfeiter? Chasing religious promises based on the various teachings of man is vain and exhausting. On the other hand God promises rest for his knowledgeable disciples. What are you following?