Monday, November 09, 2020

By faith we let them go

I read this devotional on Tim Challies website.  He is a Christian blogger and author.  He lost his son suddenly last week.  

He posted the following devotional.

I want to share it with you because it is a perspective I have never read.  

"Death strikes the best of our friends..."

How very true.

The 'why' is interesting.  I'm thinking about it.  I might say, "Wait, please". 

Have you ever heard this scripture?  Have you ever thought about death this way?





                            Ashely, beloved daughter, sister, niece, wife, mother and friend.



 

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.

 John 17:24

O death! Why do you touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches weariness finds rest? Why do you snatch away the excellent of the earth, in whom is all our delight? If you must use your axe, use it upon the trees that yield no fruit; then you may be thanked. But why will you chop down the best trees? Hold your axe, and spare the righteous.

But no, it must not be; death strikes the best of our friends: the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy, the most devoted must die. And why? It is through Jesus' prevailing prayer--"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am."

It is that which bears them on eagle's wings to heaven. Every time a believer moves from this earth to paradise, it is an answer to Christ's prayer. A good old divine remarks, "Many times Jesus and His people pull against one another in prayer. You bend your knee in prayer and say 'Father, I desire that Your saints be with me where I am'; Christ says, 'Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.'"

In this way the disciple is at cross-purposes with his Lord. The soul cannot be in both places: The beloved one cannot be with Christ and with you too. Now, which of the two who plead shall win the day? If you had your choice, if the King should step from His throne and say, "Here are two supplicants praying in opposition to one another," which shall be answered? Oh, I am sure, though it were agony, you would jump to your feet and say, "Jesus, not my will, but Yours be done." You would give up your prayer for your loved one's life, if you could realize the thoughts that Christ is praying in the opposite direction--"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am."

Lord, You shall have them. By faith we let them go.

Allister Begg



Encourage one another,

Donna Elsie

9 comments:

  1. John Chapter 17 is my favorite full chapter of the Bible. Such beautiful words of Jesus praying for us. I saw this news on Twitter but hadn’t heard of him before. So sad he is gone so young but thankful he is with God.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Powerful words, what an image. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I read about Tim's son. So very sad and sudden.

    Who is this young lady, Ashley, you mentioned?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashley is my niece. She is my sister Nancy's daughter. She died last week also after a valiant fight with lung cancer (non-smoking)
      They are a very private family. We are all heartbroken.

      Delete
    2. I'm so sorry, Donna. How very sad. Heartfelt prayers for your whole family.

      Delete
  4. Deepest sympathy and condolences to your family.. V

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, Donna. So much heartache. An eternal perspective brings truth and light and hope, but the hurt is still so deep. Peace upon peace to your entire family.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so sorry for your families loss. So very sad. And yet you have the most delightful gift to find the beauty in the ashes. Thank you for sharing your heart.
    Love, Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  7. Incomprehensible loss. I am so sorry for all who loved and knew her. So hard to bear. I prayed for THE comforter to be with you all and that he will sustain. Grace be with you.

    ReplyDelete

Hello. So nice to see you. Would you like to leave a comment? Be very kind.