Following the Ways of the Father
October 19, 2022 by Gil Killam
Filed under Daily Devotions
By Gillis Killam –
Some years ago the leadership of our denomination met together in a retreat to seek the Lord for the direction of our Fellowship. In one of the sessions we were asked to give our personal testimony: how we came to Christ and how our family had impacted our lives. As we went around the circle of twelve men we listened with full attention because many of us, who came from other parts of Canada, had never heard the story of other members. It was one of the most encouraging and uplifting moments in our time together.
When it came time for the last one to speak we were surprised to hear him say, “I don’t have a Christian heritage in my family!” He told us that he could not look back to a father, mother, or grandparents, for a Christian influence. Other people outside his natural family were now like father and mother to him and they were a blessing. He went on to say that now he has a wife and children and he is building a heritage for his own family with the help of his Heavenly Father.
An interesting scripture tells us something about Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, which says, “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel” (2 Chronicles 17:3-4 NIV).
Jehoshaphat’s father, King Asa, followed the Lord in the first part of his reign, but turned away from God in his later years and did not obey Him. He did not leave a good memory or a godly heritage that his son could look back on, so Jehoshaphat looked back to his forefather, David, who was a man after God’s own heart, and followed His ways.
Even if we don’t have a godly Christian heritage in our immediate family, we may look back to someone who was an example (John 1:12). If we can’t find a godly influence in our past, but have accepted Christ as our Saviour we can look to our Heavenly Father. When we receive Christ as our Saviour we become “children of God” (1 John 3:1 NIV).
Prayer: Thank you Father for a godly father and mother who showed me the way to You. Amen
Gil Killam was born in New Brunswick, Canada and served as pastor in 4 pastorates in Saskatchewan & Alberta, Canada. Gil is married to his wife Lorna and they have 5 children, 14 Grandchildren and 5 great grand children. He is a graduate of Eston College with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree. He also served President of his denomination. Gil enjoys golfing and reading in his spare time.