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

THOUGHTS ABOUT DAD

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4.

It is Father’s Day! I wish to say that my dad, Clifford Homer Dillard was born in 1907, in Sebastian County, Arkansas, one of eight siblings. His mom died when he was still a young boy.

He contracted polio at age seven. As a consequence, his left arm and leg were underdeveloped, and he had to wear a special built up shoe. He and mom both went no further than the third grade in school, but that would be equivalent to junior high school today in core subjects.

The Great Depression made life hard for everybody, and especially dad’s family. There was no indoor plumbing, electricity, or other utility in those days. Life had not changed much from what folks experienced 300 years before, but back to the point. of this article.

Dad did not want, nor would he accept, sympathy from anyone. He would work harder than most able bodied men to prove his capability, and willingness to get the job done. Because putting food on the table was a primary driving force, the tools of gardening and wood chopping were well cared for and he demanded they be sharp. Of course, when I had used a file enough to make the metal shiny, and thought it was acceptable, I can stil hear him say, “Son, I have felt sharper edges than that on an old Razorback hog!” Dad always worked hard, but above all, Dad loved God, and he revered His Word. We walked to church, but we went to church every Sunday without question. There were circuit rider preachers, so every fourth Sunday we had preaching, and the preacher always had dinner at our house. When there was no preacher, dad gave an extended devotional after Sunday school. Later, he shouted in church when I surrendered to preach.

There were teeth (rather, razor straps) in dad’s laws, and love that was more often understood than spoken, but it was never doubted. If a preacher of proper faith happened to be in the area and wanted to preach, whether on a Sunday or in an extended (protracted) revival meeting, the community always directed the preacher to dad. He was always thrilled at the prospect and would help to round up a crowd for the preacher.

On cherished fishing trips to local streams, especially at night when trotlines were used, dad would build a fire and we would sit around it, listening to him tell a wonderful, practical, Bible story. He has been gone for a lot of years now, but he still lives in my heart and in my thinking and actions. God has blessed me so abundantly to have a faithful, devoted, Christian dad. I therefore appeal to dads everywhere to teach and encourage children in the Lord. There is no better investment in a man’s life! I honor him for contributing so much to the kind of Christian I am!

FOR THOUGHT: What are your thoughts about your dad? If they are similar to mine, you have great cause to rejoice. If they are not, what can you do to provide such an heritage for others?

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor.6:17-18

The true people of God are called out of a world and lifestyle of sin. They are separated unto Him spiritually through individual salvation by grace. They are separated in their daily mind-life by submission to Him through John’s baptism; active church membership, and dedicated discipleship.Their relationship to Him is one of growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, His person, His words, and His works. I need for you to think with me on this.

The greatest problem God’s people have to contend with in their earthly journey is that of false religion. It began in the Garden of Eden, brought forth murder in the 2nd generation, and global destruction of the race in the Noahic Flood. It did not end there. It was a problem in Egypt; in the wilderness journey of the Hebrews, then throughout their history. God met it head-on in the Ten Commandments, but, alas, it continues today.

God calls His people to a life of separation personally from the sins and ungodly lifestyles of the world. Separation involves individual trust in Him as the Creator, Provider, Sustainer and Protector of life. To look elsewhere for these things is likened Biblically to marital infidelity. It will surely bring not only the displeasure and rejection of God, but the sadness and grief of consistent disappointment. Stay with me a little longer.

In recent times the president of a large “Protestant” body (their word) of churches made an encore visit to Brigham Young University to deliver a speech about his concerns centered on political and cultural changes. He lauded the university as a great and admirable institution. His burden, an underscoring of the purpose of the speech, was not so much academic or informational. It was to solicit an unholy camaraderie of the two denominations so that protection might be enhanced should political firestorms assail either. This would be an unholy alliance at best, and an outright rejection of faith in God to provide adequate care for His people at worst.

The three Hebrew children of Daniel did not resist the fiery furnace, or Daniel the lion’s den. Paul did not resist a beating at Philippi, Steven a stoning, or Jesus the cross. Saints in Hebrews Eleven even refused to accept deliverance that they might have a better resurrection.

Do I need to employ adjectives then to convey my evaluation of the prestigious leader who appealed to the cults? Modern saints are softened, not suited to persecution at all. Being allergic to pain, this writer understands that, but insists that pain should be welcomed IF that be in the path of acceptable service to God. It is doubtlessly more difficult to live for Him than to die for Him, but if it is His will for His people to die for Him, they should be most ready and willing to do so. To look to anyone or anything else for deliverance from obstacles to Godly service is infidelity. It will be judged as such!

It should be remembered that the throne of God’s Grace is still open and receptive to the petitions and supplications of His covenant people. Has that been abandoned in faithlessness?? Is the arm of our safety and well-being now made flesh???

FOR THOUGHT: What do you think will happen to churches when their trust is turned from God to the fleshly arm of others they avow as heretics? Do you think the will of God for the ages may be interrupted or that it will happen as the Word declares? May safety for time and eternity be found in the powers of men or are those things reserved for God?