Tuesday, June 29, 2010

April 27 devotion

I am still basking in the afterglow of Good Shepherd Sunday! It was such a great service. Last week I shared one of the verses from last Sunday’s Gospel where Jesus says in John chapter 20, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Saturday night we were blest at Good Shepherd to see a living example of that Gospel verse. One of our members, Dennis, was recently diagnosed with cancer. As the cancer spread rapidly, his body was not able to heal sufficiently to even begin treatment. Hospice was called in last week and he was taken to his split-level home. His one desire was to attend church—to hear again the voice of his Shepherd that he knew so well. A few phone calls were made and several men in the congregation agreed to help him make that trip from his “non-wheelchair” accessible house. Amid the sound of tornado sirens, they made the decision to go ahead and make the trip to church. What an inspiration to see this family in worship together—to see them together at the communion rail, to see them join their voices in singing “I Am Jesus Little Lamb.”

And what comfort the family received from the other Scripture reading from last Sunday from Rev. 7.17 as Dennis joined his Good Shepherd before the throne of God on Sunday afternoon.

Revelation 7:17 (English Standard Version)
17For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."


Heavenly Father, we know that you have each of our lives in Your good and gracious hands. Help us to always have that fervent desire to hear Your Word and to worship You. We pray for all those who mourn, that You would “wipe every tear from their eyes” as they look and listen to The Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for our salvation. In His name we pray. Amen.

No comments: