この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 1 of 2: Ps 71
In v.9, David prays, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.” Israel did not have health or elderly care insurance in David’s time. Back then, the family normally took care of their members in old age.
In David’s case, because he was king, he needed special help from God to give him wisdom to rule over the nation as well as to protect him from enemies. God provided both wisdom and protection so David was able to overcome all difficulties and peacefully hand his kingdom over to his son, Solomon.
In Japan, we have great health and elderly care insurance programs, so many millions of elderly people are being taken care of in homes. When my wife got dementia, I took care of her for several years, but it gradually became a heavy burden, and I was told to apply for an elderly home. I did, and in 6 months, Yoshiko was accepted.
The home takes good care of her food, sleep, bath, etc., for which I am grateful. But because of around 30 residents in the home, they cannot provide additional care, like rehabilitation for walking, exercising, talking, etc. So Yoshiko has lost her ability to walk, and now just sits in a wheelchair all day long in the dining room. Although she emits sounds, people cannot understand her, so no one talks to her all day.
I don’t want to forsake Yoshiko, so I would like to find a home that provides rehabilitation care to their residents. I want her to learn to walk and talk again, instead of just sitting by herself all day long. “Lord, do not cast Yoshiko off in the time of old age,” is my daily prayer.
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Titus 2
In v.1-9, Paul gives instructions to Titus about admonishing older men and women, young women and men, bondservants and masters about how to live. One important purpose of this instruction is found in v.5b, “…that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” In other words, so that they do not become a stumbling block, or, so that they can be a witness for Jesus.
That is the reason that we need teachings on how to live today also. And that is why we need to adjust some teachings in the Bible to fit in with the culture of today. Some teachings that this applies most to are teachings about women. Some examples are:
*1 Tim 2:9-12. Women should not wear elaborate hairstyles, gold or pearls or expensive clothes; they should not teach or assume authority over men but be quiet.
*Titus 2:5. Women should be subject to their husbands.
*1 Cor 14:34. Women should remain silent in church. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission.
*Eph 5:24. Wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
(I do believe that wives should submit to their husbands, but not if he’s a dictator and doesn’t consider her feelings.)
If church women lived like this today, the church would be looked at as strange, extreme, old-fashioned, etc. It would not be an attractive place where people would like to visit to learn about God.
So when we study the Bible, let’s also remember that God wants us to be a witness to the people around us of His love and salvation and not look like a weird cult to avoid!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku