Today's Devotional

October 25, 2004

Subject:  Watch Your Manners

Acts 13:18 - "And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness."

Etiquette has never really been one of my strong suits so I don't tend to be very formal.  However, there are times when proper knowledge of how this all works is needed so I try to make sure I've read Emily Post and all of that.   But I just hate going out to a fancy restaurant with someone and not being sure which piece of silverware to pick up first or which glass is the one I'm supposed to drink out of.  When I'm with more formal people, they'll usually give me that, "what's he doing here" look.  

God is quite enduring and patient with us, but that's the visual that is conjured up in my head when you read the verse above that talks about how "He suffered their manners."  Another version of that verse says that "He put up with them for forty years."

I've never really placed that much emphasis in my life on learning proper etiquette, although I've picked up much in my 42 years.  Through schooling and from friends and family, I've learned which glass is mine and how you should use the silverware from the outside in at the place setting.  Much of the "etiquette" training to the children of Israel was done by God Himself, therefore He was probably somewhat grieved by their "manners" in the desert.  

The key point is that God will always put up with us.  He's that kind of God.  It may sound as though He's exasperated and tired of us, but if we're trying to get our manners in order, He's willing to teach us proper conduct at the table of life.  

 Carlen