“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their lives, Even in their death were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.” II Samuel 1:23 (DBY)
Bill had lived a hard, immoral life. I don’t know what his occupation was in life. He was somewhere between young and old but he was dying. He had a terminal disease from which the doctors offered no hope of recovery. A Christian man, from Bill’s community, heard of his plight and went to his bedside pleading with him to be a Christian. Bill replied, “I don’t want your God and I don’t want no preacher carrying on over me when I’m gone.” Few people were at his graveside memorial and even less words were spoken over him.
Granny Smith lived a long, godly life. She loved Jesus and attempted to be at church every time the door was open for worship. Her friends, family, and community knew that if she laid hands on you, healing would occur; if she prayed for you, the answer would come. Long before she died, Granny Smith had lost her mental faculties. In her latter years, the only time she was lucid was when she sat in worship services. She loved Jesus and when she greeted the saints or talked about Jesus, she would begin speaking in tongues and rejoicing. I don’t know what her occupation was in life, but I know there was an aura of spiritual peace and power, which surrounded Granny Smith. She loved Jesus with a childlike faith. She was beautiful within and without.
In this age of anything-goes; step-on-anybody-to-get-to-the top; instant-relief; and self-centered overachievers, we tend to remember what people were rather than what they did or achieved. What we are is more important than what we can put on a resume or report.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Empower us with a never-ending love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Enable us to yield to your Spirit that he might transform us into that person who truly exhibits your glory. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his sacrifice on Calvary and yield to its sanctifying power,